T.O. Fuller Birding
Notification Alert
Detour required for Park Access
Due to I-55 construction/exit ramp bridge demolition, exit #7 (Third Street/Hwy 61) will be closed. Traffic congestion is expected, so park visitors are encouraged to use Exit #8 (New Horn Lake Road) for Mitchell Road access and exit #9 (Mallory Avenue) for Plant Road access to T.O. Fuller State Park from I-55.
Birding at T.O. Fuller
Four miles of paved walking trails are open and the area already has attracted rare black-bellied whistling ducks and nesting black-necked stilts.
Lying in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, the area is on its way to becoming a significant hotspot for resident and migratory songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, and wintering waterfowl.
Featured Birds
- Neotropical Migrants
- Mississippi Kite
- Herons
- Egrets
- Sparrows
- Waterfowl
- Songbirds
- Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
- Hawk spp.
- Shorebirds
- Black-necked Stilt
- Least Tern
- Loggerhead Shrike
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo
- Woodpecker spp.
- Barred Owl
- Osprey
- Chimney Swift
- Indigo Bunting
- Mississippi Kite
Birding Locations
A hiking map is available at the park office.
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Discovery Trail Loop
Featured birds: Neotropical Migrants, SongbirdsThis forested trail is a 3.15-mile continuous loop following the bluff with a number of scenic points of interest including Chucalissa Indian Village and wetlands.
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Nature Enhancement Area
Featured birds: Mississippi Kite, Herons, Egrets, Sparrows, Neotropical MigrantsThe trail follows the old golf cart paths through a wildlife enhancement area. The area consists of floodplain wetlands, wildflower valleys, native grassy meadows, and upland ponds.
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West Mitchell Road
Featured birds: Herons, Egrets, Waterfowl, SongbirdsThere is limited parking found at the intersection of West Mitchell Road and Plant Road. After parking, walk along West Mitchell Road beyond the barricade. The road ends at two large wetlands south of Riverport Road.
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Ensley Bottoms Complex and Ensley Sewage Ponds
Featured birds: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Herons, Egrets, Mississippi Kite, HawkDue to the complicated nature of this site please visit the Tennessee Watchable Wildlife page at www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/wheretowatch.cfm and navigate to the Ensley Bottoms Complex. Mudflats and ponds provide excellent birding opportunities. Over 300 species of birds have been identified.
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Overton Park
Featured birds: Mississippi Kite, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Woodpecker, SongbirdsThe site is a typical urban park with many recreational facilities. Within the park is the Old Forest State Natural Area which is a 126-acre mature hardwood forest containing numerous walking trails. Over 190 species of birds have been identified from the park.
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Shelby Farms Park Visitors Center
Featured birds: Waterfowl, Hawk, Barred Owl, Sparrows, SongbirdsThe 4,500-acre park contains a great variety of habitats. Hyde and Pine Lakes are excellent for wintering waterfowl. The area called the Outback is excellent for field and scrub birds such as sparrows. Lucius E. Burch, Jr. State Natural Area provides 728 acres of bottomland forest. The park has over 40 miles of trails where you can view the birds. Over 260 bird species have been identified in the area.
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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.
Discover More at T.O. Fuller
No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.
