Birds & Wildlife
Photo by Tim Jeffers
Birding at Audubon Acres
Because of its strategic streamside location with a mix of open meadows, pines, and hardwood forests, it is an excellent location for migrating species such as thrushes, vireos, warblers, tanagers, and flycatchers. Great-horned and barred owls are seen regularly and red-shouldered hawks nest here each spring.
Great blue herons, belted kingfishers, and wood ducks are seen along the banks of South Chickamauga Creek year round, and common loons are occasionally seen during migration. The area is also home to a large population of wild turkey and a colony of chimney swifts nest in the visitor center chimney each summer. Eastern bluebirds, brown-headed nuthatches, and numerous species of woodpeckers are seen daily, while house wrens, northern parulas, and indigo buntings can be found during the summer months.
Because of its strategic streamside location with a mix of open meadows, pines, and hardwood forests, it is an excellent location for migrating species such as thrushes, vireos, warblers, tanagers, and flycatchers. Great-horned and barred owls are seen regularly and red-shouldered hawks nest here each spring.
Great blue herons, belted kingfishers, and wood ducks are seen along the banks of South Chickamauga Creek year round, and common loons are occasionally seen during migration. The area is also home to a large population of wild turkey and a colony of chimney swifts nest in the visitor center chimney each summer. Eastern bluebirds, brown-headed nuthatches, and numerous species of woodpeckers are seen daily, while house wrens, northern parulas, and indigo buntings can be found during the summer months.
Species of Interest
Spring and Fall Migration: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Kingbird, Fish Crow, Canada Warbler, Common Loon, Wilson’s Warbler
Summer: Cerulean Warbler, Northern Parula, Indigo Bunting, Broad-winged Hawk, House Wren, White-eyed Vireo, Chimney Swift, Black & White Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Winter: Pine Siskins, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Dark-eyed Junco, Cooper’s Hawk
Year-Round: Wild Turkey, Eastern Bluebird, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Bluebird, Belted Kingfisher, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron, Cedar Waxwing, Wood Duck
Rarities Seen at this Site
Cerulean Warblers
Submit your data to: http://ebird.org/ebird/submit/effort?locID=L1259452
Other Wildlife
Red & Gray Foxes, Coyotes, and Bobcats are seen from time to time, while Raccoons, Opossum, Muskrats, Beavers, Groundhogs, Rabbits, Chipmunks and Squirrels can be seen most anytime. In 2020, a River Otter was seen playing in the creek! In the warm months, butterflies and sometimes dragonflies can be abundant.
Summer: Cerulean Warbler, Northern Parula, Indigo Bunting, Broad-winged Hawk, House Wren, White-eyed Vireo, Chimney Swift, Black & White Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Winter: Pine Siskins, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Dark-eyed Junco, Cooper’s Hawk
Year-Round: Wild Turkey, Eastern Bluebird, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Bluebird, Belted Kingfisher, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron, Cedar Waxwing, Wood Duck
Rarities Seen at this Site
Cerulean Warblers
Submit your data to: http://ebird.org/ebird/submit/effort?locID=L1259452
Other Wildlife
Red & Gray Foxes, Coyotes, and Bobcats are seen from time to time, while Raccoons, Opossum, Muskrats, Beavers, Groundhogs, Rabbits, Chipmunks and Squirrels can be seen most anytime. In 2020, a River Otter was seen playing in the creek! In the warm months, butterflies and sometimes dragonflies can be abundant.