Florida Suncoast Birding: East Tennessee

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

East Tennessee

Tuesday May 7th

eBird Trip Report https://ebird.org/tripreport/245480

Black Bear Cub

I recently visited Eastern Tennessee, including Seven Island Birding State Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although rain cut my day trip to the Smokies short, I managed to take the auto tour at Cades Cove. Spotting black bears was a highlight, with four sows and their twin cubs in view. However, capturing a great photo of the bears proved challenging.

Black Bear Sow with Cubs

Eastern Hemlock

Mountain Laural

Some of the bird life seen and heard at the park included Wild Turkey, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grossbeak, Wood Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Carolina Chickadee, Acacian Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbird, Chipping and Field Sparrows, Ovenbirds, Hooded Warblers, Prairie Warblers, Yellow-throated Warblers, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Carolina Wren, Blue-headed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo & Eastern Phoebe.

Had also made two short visits to Seven Island Birding State Park, which is near to Knoxville, which features prairie, woodland and river habitats. Canada Geese, Mallards, Wood Ducks, Cliff Swallows, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, Field and White-crowned Sparrows, Wood Thrush, Yellow-breasted Chats, Tufted Titmice, House Finches, Prothonotary and Hooded Warblers.