Johnsonville Birding

A historic cannon sits on a sunlit grassy field beside a small rustic wooden hut, with lush green trees in the background, evoking a serene, timeless setting.

red-head woodpecker hanging from bark of a tree

Birding at Johnsonville State Historic Park 

This 1,075-acre park, located in Humphreys County, commemorates the site of the Johnsonville Depot, the Battle of Johnsonville and the historic town site of Johnsonville that existed from 1864-1944 prior to the formation of Kentucky Lake.

The park has several hiking trails that offer excellent observation locations for a wide variety of birds, including herons, hawks, swallows, and bluebirds. In winter, the lakefront is a good place to observe the occasional bald eagle. When the mudflats are exposed, sandpipers may also be seen. Hilltops with open forest near Civil War earthworks are ideal for seeing white-breasted nuthatches and woodpeckers. During migration and in winter, ring-billed gulls and many types of ducks may be seen in the open water.

Featured Birds

American White Pelican
Pied-billed Grebe
Ring-billed Gull
Mallard
Wood Duck
Double-crested Cormorant
American Coot
Killdeer
Forster's Tern
Orchard Oriole
Osprey
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Barred Owl
Indigo Bunting
Swallows
Prothonotary Warbler
Wild Turkey
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Ovenbird
Cedar Waxwing
Eastern Towhee
Northern Parula
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Eastern Bluebird
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
American Goldfinch
American Robin
Purple Finch
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Chickadee
Purple Martin
Cattle Egret
Hooded Merganser
Greater Yellowlegs
American White Pelican
Ring-billed Gull
Northern Shoveler
Caspian Tern
Cackling Goose
Sandhill Crane
Dickcissel
Bobolink
Bonaparte's Gull
Herring Gull
Forster's Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Bufflehead
American Wigeon
Greater White-fronted Goose
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Common Goldeneye
Northern Pintail
Bald Eagle
Gadwall
Red-breasted Merganser
Wilson's Snipe
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Summer Tanager
Barred Owl
Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Birding Locations

Buttercup Trail

Featured birds: American White Pelican, Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-billed Gull, Mallard, Wood Duck

This trail passes through mature forest and skirts along the Tennessee River bank.
African-American Cemetery Loop Trail

Featured birds: Osprey, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Great Egret, Killdeer

This short trail offers great historical sites as well as an interesting peninsula. 
Gunpowder Trail

Featured birds: Pileated Woodpecker, Vireos, Eastern Phoebe, Ovenbird, Cedar Waxwing

This trail has quite a few gains in elevation but you can see historic rifle pits along the way.
Park Visitor Center

Featured birds: Eastern Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, American Goldfinch, American Robin

The lush landscaping attracts insects and birds alike. 
Tennessee NWR Duck River Unit: Refuge Road

Featured birds: Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Greater Yellowlegs

Established in 1945, the refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was created primarily for migratory birds. Two hundred and two species of birds have been identified. 
Tennessee NWR: Big Sandy Unit Observation Deck

Featured birds: Bonaparte's Gull, Herring Gull, Forster's Tern, Double-crested Cormorant, Bufflehead

Established in 1945, the refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was created primarily for migratory birds. So far, 255 species of birds have been identified. 
Lady's Bluff: Parking Area/Trail Head

Featured birds: Bald Eagle, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Great Egret, Red-breasted Merganser

A 2.7-mile round trip hike with great views of the Tennessee River. So far, 137 species of birds identified. 

Tennessee Valley Authority

Responsible Birding

Do not endanger the welfare of birds.
Tread lightly and respect bird habitat.
Silence is golden.
Do not use electronic sound devices to attract birds during nesting season, May-July.
Take extra care when in a nesting area.
Always respect the law and the rights of others, violators subject to prosecution.
Do not trespass on private property.
Avoid pointing your binoculars at other people or their homes.
Limit group sizes in areas that are not conducive to large crowds.