✕
☰

Birding in the Great Smoky Mountains

by

Mike Blevins photo

Mike Blevins photo

I was a real hotshot (in my own mind!) when I started birdwatching over 30 years ago. I took vacations to look at birds; pointed out species ad nauseam to friends and family; and became laser focused on my life list count. 

Then I signed up for a guided birding tour in the Smoky Mountains and things changed. Not only did I learn the ‘new’ word for my favorite hobby, I quickly realized that attaching binoculars to my face and checking off field guide lists were only short-term activities. Species conservation, habitat protection, and joining with other birders became my long-term focus.

Perhaps the birders of 1918 experienced a similar epiphany? However, as they watched, human activities decimated entire species. Their response was to fight for passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This legislation is one of the oldest laws in this country created for wildlife protection. It has saved millions of birds; prevented the extinction of countless species, and continues to protect more than 1,000 species of U.S. native birds 100 years after its passage.

To celebrate the MBTA’s centennial birthday, I’ve returned to the Smoky Mountains and spoken with Keith Watson, renowned conservationist, birding guide, and founder of the Southern Appalachian Bird Conservancy.

Why are the Smoky Mountains on birders’ bucket lists?

“The park provides a combination of habitats and landscapes for permanent residents (the birds who never leave), summer residents (migrants who move in to breed), and winter residents (those who move in just for winter). From the lowest elevations to Clingmans Dome, you pass through several unique vegetative zones similar to traveling in Canada’s boreal forests. There is not another combination of natural beauty and species richness like that which occurs in the Great Smoky Mountains.”

Which birds are most ‘in demand’ here?

“There are generally two groups of birds: 1) The high elevation permanent resident species such as the Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black-capped Chickadee, Red Crossbill, Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Common Raven, Peregrine Falcon, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Siskin, and Hermit Thrush (typically more northern breeders), and 2) The Neotropical migrants (summer residents) that typically winter in the tropics and summer here to breed. In the higher elevations Veery, Canada Warbler, and Chestnut-sided Warbler; in the lower elevations Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Great-crested Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, Black-throated Blue Warbler,  Red-eyed Vireo, and many other warblers; and Blue-headed Vireo at all elevations.”

Why are you a birder?

“I enjoy watching birds and their behavior. I’m challenged to learn where to find them and how to identify them; and love sharing this with anyone who has these interests. I’ve always liked being outside, and my senses seem attuned to sights, sounds, landscapes, changes, seasons, and so forth when birding. Basically, I feel a sense of accomplishment and peace when I go birding.”

During his career, Watson developed 57 Avian Conservation Implementation Plans, for every national park in the southeastern region. As an employee of the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he worked tirelessly for bird conservation in the Appalachian mountains, the Piedmont, the Southeast coastal plain, and the Caribbean. He and his fellow birders have also documented previously unknown species in Sevier County, Tennessee.

To conclude my talk with Watson (who was perched at a Bahamian airport on his way to Caribbean birding hotspots!), I asked, Why should people care about birds; and what would you say to young folks to get them involved?

“When I lead birding tours and see young faces in the crowd, I emphasize that birds are indicators of environmental quality. They are effective monitors of the health of our planet. Many species are declining, and without continued habitat preservation, conservation, and management, they will be harder to find and enjoy in the future. Get involved. Preserve and protect bird habitats. Support organizations that do!”

While my vision was once limited to what I could see through binoculars, efforts like the MBTA and individuals like Keith Watson teach us all that birding is best enjoyed through a wide lens.

About the author: Angela Minor has lived, traveled, and birded across the southern U.S. to the Rocky Mountains, in Alaska and the Caribbean, and in seven European countries.

Top Birding Spots

Keith Watson, founder of the Southern Appalachian Bird Conservancy, shared insider tips for birding at four popular GSM destinations.

Cades Cove “The Cove is awesome with its open fields, native grasslands, woodlots, woodland edges, and mature forests. Drive around the loop road and stop at multiple locations, taking short walks on the various trails. This will yield productive birding, especially during spring and fall migration, early summer, and mid-winter.”

Clingmans Dome “Along with Cades Cove, this is probably the most visited birding location. The habitats resemble northern forests (relics from the last ice age); and the bird fauna is similar to residents of northern boreal forests. In fact, the southernmost distribution for several species is in the upper elevations of the Smokies.”

Smokemont “This area is similar to low elevation campgrounds, and produces good birding year round. There will be fewer species in winter with only permanent residents and a few winter visitors. Spring and fall migration along with early summer are the best times, with easy-to-find birds.”

Cosby “This area is largely unknown and less crowded. It should provide good birding during spring and fall migration as well as early summer. Specifically, take the opportunity to hike Low Gap Trail (that intersects with the Appalachian Trail), Maddron Bald Trail, and Hen Wallow Falls Trail.”

What to look for

There are 240 documented species of birds in GSM’s 800+ square miles of “the most biodiverse park in the National Park system.” In addition to those mentioned by Watson, here is a partial list of ornithologically significant species:

Back to topbutton