Seven Islands State Birding Park

06/01/2026

🎶Bird of the Month: Wood Thrush🎶

One of the most beautiful sounds of an eastern forest belongs to the Wood Thrush. This reddish-brown songbird may not be flashy, but its flute-like song has earned it a reputation as one of North America's finest singers. The Wood Thrush can actually sing two notes at the same time! Specialized structures in its voice box allow it to create the rich, harmonizing quality that makes its song so distinctive.

After returning from their winter grounds in Central America, Wood Thrushes spend their summers in mature forests, often hopping through the leaf litter in search of insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates. Their white breast is covered in bold black spots, helping them to camouflage with their surroundings.

Look for Wood Thrushes in the shady woodlands with a dense understory, especially near streams and moist forest floors. They are often heard long before they are seen!

To learn more about Wood Thrushes and other birds or Seven Islands, join us for an upcoming ranger-led program. https://tnstateparks.com/parks/seven-islands

05/29/2026

Register here: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/seven-islands

05/20/2026

Last July, a group of children visiting Seven Islands discovered an incredible creature — a giant Cecropia Moth caterpillar! 🐛

A few days later, it formed a cocoon… and then waited quietly through summer, fall, winter, and spring.

Today, nearly a year later, the adult Cecropia Moth finally emerged! As North America’s largest native moth, Cecropia Moths are truly spectacular!

Moments like this remind us how much wonder can be found when we slow down and look closely at nature. We’re especially grateful to the young explorers who first spotted this amazing caterpillar last summer!

Check out this beautiful moth and his baby picture from last year! ✨

05/18/2026

🚧🚧🚧Area Closure🚧🚧🚧

Please be advised that the pathways around the Bluebird Barn, Wild Yards Garden, and bathrooms are currently being updated and are under construction. Access to the Bluebird Barn, gardens, restrooms, and trailheads in this area will be temporarily blocked until construction is completed. The construction is anticipated to take approximately 1-2 weeks. Temporary restrooms have been placed at the entrance gate area on Kelly Lane Greenway.

All visitors are asked to access the trails when they visit by parking in the main lot and walking into the park along Kelly Lane Greenway starting at the main gate across the road. Please do not enter the garden or Bluebird Barn area while construction is happening.

If you have questions about this project and area closure, you can reach the ranger on duty by calling the park office 865-407-8335.

05/12/2026

Calling all Young Birders, ages 11-14! Join us as we launch the East TN Young Birders Club. Visit the link in the comments for more information.

05/09/2026

We are excited to partner with Ijams Nature Center on this! Join us on the 23rd!

Presenting: The East Tennessee Young Birders Club! 🎉🐦

Designed for children ages 11-14 and their families, the East TN Young Birders Club is a safe space for beginner and avid birders to enjoy the outdoors with a focus on birding through free workshops birding outings, and more!

From typical bird walks to bird banding sessions, art workshops, and more, the East TN Young Birders Club is designed to have something for every bird lover out there! Children will come away with new naturalist skills, a deeper understanding of birds and the ecosystem, and look at the birding world through new artistic lenses.

Join us on May 23, 2026 from 9-11 AM at Seven Islands State Birding Park for the first outing of 2026: a Birding Walk & Talk where you'll observe warblers, vireos, sparrows, and more migratory species as they fly through the meadows and forests. You'll also get to meet Seven Island's new American Kestrel, Captain Jack Sparrowhawk!

All participants must register for the East Tennessee Young Birders Club. No walk-ups will be accepted.

🦆To learn more and register, visit ijams.org/easttnybc

🌿The East TN Young Birders Club is run in partnership with Ijams Nature Center and Seven Islands State Birding Park.

05/06/2026

We're excited to be partnering with Bird Collisions in the Anthropocene, a national nonprofit conservation and community art project, to teach the public about how to protect birds from building collisions at their home or business. Join us for an upcoming craft workshop!

https://reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/bird-collisions-in-the-anthropocene-craft-workshop

04/30/2026

Bird of the Month: Great Crested Flycatcher
One of my favorite voices of late spring has arrived! The Great-crested Flycatcher. is back in our woodlands, filling the trees with its loud "wheep!” or raspy whistle.
This elusive songbird is often easier to hear than to see, spending much of its time high in the forest canopy where it sallies out to catch flying insects in midair. When it does appear, look for its bright lemon-yellow belly, warm cinnamon tail, and gray throat.

Great Crested Flycatchers nest in tree cavities and will also use nest boxes. They are famous for adding unusual items to their nests—especially shed snake skin, which may help deter predators or parasites.

Check out some of the wonderful photos taken by local photographers. Thank you to Becky Boyd, John O'Barr, and Rob Upchurch for allowing us to share them!

To learn more about Great-crested Flycatchers and other birds at Seven Islands, join us for an upcoming ranger-led birding walk. https://tnstateparks.com/parks/seven-islands