WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Tennessee

By species reported, the top birding spots in Tennessee are Clear Lake (historical), Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge (Duck River), and Penal Farm Lake Number Three. Clear Lake (historical) has the longest list (250 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Clear Lake (historical)Humphreys County250849120203137196
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge (Duck River)Humphreys County243533120195125177
Penal Farm Lake Number ThreeShelby County2253,829103176119178
Old Cathole (historical)Humphreys County22434393123133196
Locke SwampLincoln County216830116121123185
Chester Frost ParkHamilton County2132,47011417490180
Old Hickory Beach Access AreaDavidson County2122,48910417297133
Radnor LakeDavidson County2049,43899186106174
Tennessee National Wildlife RefugeHumphreys County203779109136114160
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) (Swan Pond Creek)Roane County2007679714882150
Seven IslandsKnox County1964,16493182106158
Percy Priest Wildlife Management AreaRutherford County1958469115398159
Rankin Bottom Wildlife Management AreaCocke County19477955109120167
Kyker Bottoms Wildlife Management AreaBlount County1931,7729217495156
Hatchie National Wildlife RefugeHaywood County1937718315993117
Spring LakeShelby County1861,89210013788150
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)Roane County1861,06288139101135
Cornelia Fort AirparkDavidson County1851,9849314594139
Cove LakeCampbell County1841,3198915496136
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge (northwest)Henry County18226710412465138
Shelby BottomsDavidson County1791,95874150104142
Penal Farm Lake Number Three (Penal Farm Lake Number Two)Shelby County1798519215774130
ShelbyDavidson County1781,7867715181136
Baylor LakeHamilton County17642310014086128
Bells BendDavidson County1752,0148414892127
Pace PointHenry County175185797544141
Tailwater Access AreaDavidson County1747569514065110
Eagle Lake RefugeShelby County173207771575247
Crooked Branch ParkDavidson County1728388314671121
Nathan Bedford ForrestBenton County172226629592126

By county