How to Go Bird Watching in Kentucky

Bird watching in Kentucky offers birders a great opportunity to add dozens of species to their list including some rare species. Kentucky's diverse natural habitat and large lakes and reservoirs provide the perfect elements for bird watching. Birders who visit Kentucky will find birding activities across the state.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bird watching guide
• A spotting scope or binoculars
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Notebook

1. Start a Kentucky bird watching trip at eastern Kentucky's historic Cumberland Gap. Many early settlers of Kentucky entered the frontier through the Gap. With over 70 miles of trails and diverse geography and habitat available, birding in the area around the Cumberland Gap National Historic Area is a rewarding experience. Bird watchers have identified over 115 species in the area.

2. Journey across the Cumberland Plateau and visit the 125,000 acres of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Bird species of the forest interior are abundant in this heavily forested area. Spring and early summer are the prime times for bird watching; a large number of Neotropical migrants breed in the area.

3. Travel to southwestern Kentucky's Kuttawa Heron Rookery & Roost. The dredge created island is home to Black-crowned Night-Herons, Cattle Egrets, Little Blue Herons and numerous species of waders. Some of the best bird watching occurs during the times just before sunrise and sunset as hundreds of birds come home to roost.

4. Enjoy the diverse habitat of Daviess County with a wide-ranging number of bird species. The Daviess County Audubon Society has a knowledgeable membership with field trips throughout the year.

5. Print out the bird species checklists and directions. Contact the nearest chapters of Audubon and local tourism bureau. Visit the websites below for up-to-date information concerning area birding events.

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