Rock Island Birding
Warning Alert
Safety Closures in Effect at Rock Island State Park
The following alert is important for all Rock Island State Park visitors
TVA Great Falls Dam and/or the TVA Great Falls Powerhouse may release water on an irregular schedule. Water discharge may change day to day or even hour to hour. All river gorge areas downstream of the TVA Dam are closed when the dam is in Active water spill mode or a discharge is likely for the day. Before planning your visit, please check TVA's website for Great Falls Dam and Powerhouse for the most current water discharge schedule. Visitors are encouraged to check the discharge schedule often. Discharge schedules can change rapidly based on lake levels, rainfall forecasts, etc. Water releases may occur with or without warning any time you are near a TVA dam or powerhouse. Visitors should be prepared for a quick exit should they hear warning sirens or notice water rising. Life jackets and hiking shoes are strongly encouraged in this area.
The park has also seen very high visitation over the last year. Please do not park on roadsides or in non-designated areas. If the park is full, please consider visiting another state park in the area.
Please check the park’s Facebook page for updates before your visit.
Know Before You Go
The park often experiences high visitation. Please do not park on roadsides or in non-designated areas. If the park is full, please consider visiting another state park in the area.
Also, please check the status of the Caney Fork River Gorge section of the park before visiting, as access is dependent on approval from TVA based on hourly water release predictions. Gorge closures may occur without notice and can be in place for varying lengths of time. Learn more on our safety information page.
Rock Island Gorge Safety
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFO: Please note that swimming or wading is not permitted downstream of the Powerhouse at any time, regardless of water releases. Check TVA’s website for water release information and dam safety data at: www.tva.gov/Environment/Lake-Levels/Great-Falls.
Birding at Rock Island
Birds such as osprey, black vulture, belted kingfisher, black-crowned night-heron, and yellow-crowned night-heron can be seen along with great blue heron, which have a rookery nearby.
Over 153 species of birds have been seen and heard, especially in late spring. Acadian flycatcher, yellow-billed cuckoo, eastern wood-pewee, eastern kingbird, eastern phoebe, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, Carolina wren, blue-gray gnatcatcher, summer tanager, orchard oriole, indigo bunting, American goldfinch, vireos, and warblers may all be observed.
Featured Birds
- Herons
- Ducks
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Acadian Flycatcher
- Yellow-rumped Warbler
- White-throated Sparrow
- Black Vulture
- Wood Duck
- Belted Kingfisher
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow
- Chimney Swift
- Prothonotary Warbler
- Carolina Chickadee
- Vireos
- Yellow-throated Warbler
- Black-and-White Warbler
- Osprey
- Wild Turkey
- Barred Owl
- Chipping Sparrow
- Indigo Bunting
- American Goldfinch
- Great Crested Flycatcher
- White-breasted Nuthatch
- Thrushes
- Eastern Whip-poor-will
- Sandhill Crane
- Eastern Towhee
- Eastern Towhee
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Killdeer
- Cedar Waxwing
- American Robin
- Eastern Kingbird
- Prairie Warbler
- Yellow-breasted Chat
- Blue Grosbeak
- Northern Bobwhite
- Dickcissel
- Bobolink
- Mourning Warbler
- Scarlet Tanager
- Summer Tanager
- Green Heron
- Eastern Wood-Pewee
- Willow Flycatcher
- American Woodcock
- Northern Harrier
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Horned Lark
- Bay-breasted Warbler
- Blackburnian Warbler
- Chestnut-sided Warbler
- Worm-eating Warbler
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Common Yellowthroat
- Henslow’s Sparrow
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.
