On a recent road trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, I went on an adventure going on a Great Smoky Mountains birding adventure. Knoxville, Tennessee, is home to the University of Tennessee and my alma mater. I was in town to visit friends, tailgate, and attend a friend’s epic BBQ.
Birding Great Smoky Mountains.
First stop is Townsend, Tennessee for provisions
Somehow, I managed to scrap myself out of the cot I was sleeping in the next day and make it to the mountains. I first stopped off in Townsend, Tennessee for some provisions for the day. The gas station was right along the Little River. They had a deck out back and from there I saw my first birds.
Related: Best day hiking ever in the Great Smoky Mountains
Wood duck – Birding Great Smoky Mountains
I was pleased to see wood ducks. Usually, wood ducks are very shy birds, and I only see them flying and cooing away from my canoe. They can be very difficult to approach and see them close up. Here at the Little River, there were eight or nine peacefully swimming on the far shore. They were also in the sun, so their beautiful colors really showed up. I also spotted and eastern phoebe in the tree.
Wood duck along the Little River.
Eastern phoebe – Townsend, Tennessee.
Entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Arriving during a government shutdown had me a little worried, but the park’s website stated that the park was still open. They have a kiosk as you enter the park, where you can pay the $5.00 daily parking fee.
Great Smoky Mountains entrance.
It was unseasonably warm. The temperatures were in the mid 70s. I wore an adidas hoodie, but soon took it off. Usually, an adidas fleece is perfect for this time of the year since they are warm and comfortable. It has been an unusually warm fall, but fleece season is coming soon.
Little River, Tennessee.
Great Smoky Mountains birding Cades Cove Scenic Loop
My goal was to take the Cades Cove Scenic Loop and stop along the way and look for fall migrants. I did not see too many warblers and vireos. In fact, I only saw a blue-headed vireo and no warblers. I did see several eastern phoebes, an eastern wood pee-wee, and four species of woodpeckers.
Blue-headed vireo- Great Smoky Mountains.
Even when there are no warblers to be found, the Great Smoky Mountains are great for seeing woodpeckers. I saw two downy woodpeckers, a yellow-bellied sapsucker, a red-bellied woodpecker, and one pileated woodpecker.
Yellow-bellied sapsucker – Great Smoky Mountains birding.
Wild turkeys along the road
The Cade Cove Scenic Loop is the a great place to spot wild turkeys, and this trip did not disappoint. I came upon a traffic jam on the scenic loop road, and it turned out to be due to a gaggle of turkeys. I pulled over and took some pictures before moving on.
Wild turkey – Birding Great Smoky Mountains.
Great Smoky Mountains birding – Wild turkey.
No bears, but two white-tailed deer
I have driven the scenic loop road many times. On at least three occasions, I have lucked out and seen black bears. I saw none on this trip. It may have been because it was a busy weekend with many visitors thanks to the beautiful weather. I did see two white-tailed deer run along the road while looking at downy woodpeckers. Usually, there are many white-tailed deer along this route, but I only saw two on this day.
White-tailed deer – Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Rich Mountain as seen from Cades Cove.
Peak fall colors a few weeks away
Fall colors are on their way, and some trees are already turning, but peak time is probably two weeks away. The trees along the Appalachian and Rich Mountain ridges were farther ahead than the trees along the road, but even they were at least a week away from peak. It was still enjoyable to soak in the early fall foliage.
Great Smoky Mountains Appalachian Ridge.
You cannot beat a day in the mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains has so much to do and see. I could definitely stay a week there, but today, I only had a day. I enjoyed seeing birds, deer, and early fall colors.
Adventure on!
