One Of The Most Magical Places To Spot Migratory Birds In Tennessee Is At Reelfoot Lake
By Meghan Kraft|Published March 05, 2022
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Reelfoot Lake can be found in the very northwest corner of Tennessee and is known as the only naturally occurring lake in the state. It was formed by the New Madrid Earthquakes in the early 19th century, and the protected state park is now made up of 280 state-protected acres. It straddles both Lake and Obion counties, and though Reelfoot Lake is popular for hiking and camping, it is also a famous birding destination.
Perhaps to fully understand why Reelfoot Lake operates as a homing beacon for birds one must first take the time to consider its odd ecosystem. The New Madrid Earthquakes that created the lake consisted of a series of violent earthquakes that were so intense that even the Mississippi River was forced to flow backward.
The forested area that is now known as Reelfoot Lake was flooded, and the waters never receded. If you visit, you’ll find Majestic Cypress trees towering above the water, and just beyond the surface, there are smaller, submerged stumps. The lake is deceptively shallow, making it a great spot for birds to hunt for food.
Swimming is not permitted due to the shallow murkiness of the water and the delicate balance of the area’s natural ecosystem. Instead, we encourage you to bring a camera and enjoy peeking at the birds that gather along the waterfront.
January and February are perhaps the most popular times to visit the lake, mainly due to the thousands of American bald eagles that gather in the vicinity. The Reelfoot Eagle Festival is held in February, and park naturalists lead waterfowl and bald eagle tours daily during the late winter months.
If you visit either in March or April, we encourage you to take advantage of the deep swamp canoe trips, and from May to September scenic pontoon boat tours are offered. In the autumn, hundreds of white pelicans stop at Reelfoot Lake during their seasonal migration, and the sight is truly magical.
Reelfoot Lake is located on what is considered a major migratory bird flyaway, which means the diversity of birds in the area is truly unlike anywhere else in the state. Come to see herons, shorebirds, songbirds, and the ever-popular bald eagle. Keep an eye out for nature-centric programs hosted by the park and book a scenic boat tour if you’d like a closer look at the birds that make their temporary home on the lake.
Reelfoot Lake may be tucked away in the far corner of Tennessee but it is still one of the most beautiful protected natural areas in the state. Learn more about it and visit for yourself to peek at the migratory birds and learn more about the submerged forest.
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