Backyard bird watching is fine. But it’s summertime, folks! Why not use the weather as an excuse to get out on the water? Here are a few of our favorite spots where boaters and paddlers are afforded front row seats to stunning displays of wildlife.
Audubon Island/ Maclellan Sanctuary
Maclellan Island (as it is often referred to by locals) might be Chattanooga’s most unassuming nature sanctuary. Tucked beneath Veterans Bridge, it features 8.8 acres of primitive urban wilderness – and with it, some cool creatures.
Best access: Access is via water only. The most popular method is paddling (canoes, kayaks or paddleboards), though there is a dock for motorboats. Day permits cost $4; camping permits, $25. Both must be procured from the Chattanooga Audubon Society and can be purchased online.
Common sightings: Osprey and great blue herons nest on the island and are easily spotted. Other frequently seen species include belted kingfishers, robins and gray catbirds.
Rare sightings: Wild turkey. Or, on the non-avian end, fox and otters.
Pro tip: Wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Poison ivy is present.
Learn more: chattanoogaaudubon.org
Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge
Located on Chickamauga Lake at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Tennessee rivers, the refuge comprises 3,500 acres of water and a spectacular variety of seasonal songbirds, waterfowl and birds of prey.
Best access: The Hiwassee Observation Platform, overlooking Hiwassee Island, is one of the best bird watching spots in Tennessee. To get there from Chattanooga, travel Interstate 75 and take Exit 25 in Cleveland, Tennessee. Keep north on Highway 60. After passing through the town of Birchwood, turn right onto Shadden Road. In one mile, make a right on Blythe Ferry Road, followed by a left onto Priddy Lane. From there, follow signs to the overlook.
Common sightings: Ospreys galore
Rare sightings: Red-tailed hawks
Pro tip: Bring binoculars. And be sure to return in the winter, when the Hiwassee Refuge boasts one of the largest flocks of sandhill cranes in the Southeast U.S. and is considered a top five spot in the state to see bald eagles. Ultra-lucky bird lovers might even catch a glimpse of a golden eagle or the endangered whooping crane.
Learn more: tnwatchablewildlife.org
Lookout Creek
Located 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, Lookout Creek snakes its way along the base of Lookout Mountain. Both scenic and wild, this waterway offers a host of watchable wildlife, from deer to turtle (to feathered friends, of course).
Best access: Canoe or kayak. For a hassle-free experience, Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center offers both creek access and canoe rental. Canoe rental costs $25 per person for two hours of paddling. Or, boaters can bring their own equipment and use the dock at regular admission cost: $10 for adults; $7 for seniors and children.
Common sightings: Belted kingfishers, cliff swallows, great blue herons and red-tailed hawks
Rare sightings: Cooper’s hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, green heron, great egret, osprey and bald eagles
Learn more: reflectionriding.org
Harrison Bay State Park
Bird lovers know Harrison Bay for its eagle cam broadcasting a brood of bald eagles which recently welcomed two new nestlings. While water-recreators should not expect to see that nest, with 1,200 acres of park and 40 miles of lakefront, there are still plenty of ways to wildlife.
Best access: Motorboats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are all welcome – but paddling offers optimal access to wildlife. (Sans engine, you’re less likely to scare away the birds.)
Common sightings: Warblers and vireos in treetops, sandpipers on the shore and ospreys circling the water.
Rare sightings: Bald eagles
Pro tip: Increase the chance of an eagle sighting by making the 30-minute paddle to John A. Patten Island, which boasts 100 acres of wooded retreat.
Learn more: tnstateparks.com