SANP Field Event
Friday, August 16, 2024
Leader: Hill Henry E-mail: thillhenry@gmail.com Ph: 865-659-4911
Meeting location: Seven Islands State Birding Park, 2809 Kelly Lane, Kodak, TN 37764
Registration available: Beginning today
Description: Let’s take advantage of the “cooler” days this week to visit one of our favorite birding sites, Seven Island State Birding Park. This extensive managed area consists of large fields and woodlots adjacent to the French Broad River, east of Knoxville. The late summer flowers including giant ironweed, goldenrod, thistles, and boneset are beginning to bloom attracting a variety of pollinators. We’ll see a variety of colorful solitary bees, butterflies and bumblebees, and observe a variety of colorful songbirds and deer that will be hidden in plain sight.
There are several gardens with native plants incorporated around a barn at the entrance. The coneflowers are currently developing seeds which attract a variety of birds, especially American goldfinch. The park also maintains several feeders to supplement these resources for songbirds and very animated hummingbirds.
The park has an extensive network of trails and a paved path that meanders through fields before crossing a portion of the river via an impressive pedestrian bridge. Secondary trails can be weedy and lightly maintained. Our group will primarily stick to the paved path, but the more ambitious folks can certainly range further on the network of trails on the property. A small pond is located along the trail just before we reach the bridge. We should pick up any number of dragonflies in this area. A second, larger pond is located on top of the ridge but has limited accessibility. The fields on this ridge attract orchard oriole and buntings; woodpeckers, including red-headed, red-bellied, downy and nuthatches can be found among the tree line as well. This elevated position in the park offers nice views of the French Broad floodplain.
What to bring: Camera, tripod/monopod (if needed), a telephoto and macro lens or extension tubes are recommended. You’ll have ample opportunity to photograph insects, birds and any number of deer along the path. We'll encounter swallows, kingfisher and occasional osprey along the river. Also bring water and a snack, anything to keep you comfortable. We’ll have a 30% chance of rain, so a rain poncho and covers for your gear could be useful.
What to wear: Shorts or long pants (for secondary trails), dress comfortably; hiking shoes, hats and sunscreen are recommended.
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate. The native plantings are easily accessible adjacent to the parking lot; one could spend all day there photographing flowers, insects, garden spiders and hummingbirds. The path to the river is lengthy but reasonable, easy to navigate. Along the way, look closely at the hillside to the right. While it looks weedy and barren you’ll soon observed deer throughout and pick up indigo buntings, field sparrows and an occasional chat.
How to find me: I’ll park next to the path at the entrance, meeting folks at the nearby barn. I’ll be in a Honda Ridgeline with a Leer Cab on the back. We’ll gather at the barn for introductions and begin our walk to the river. The species will shift from upland grassland species to those more recently found in riparian habitats.
