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Reelfoot State Park - Old Airpark Inn
Birding Seasons:
Spring A+
Summer A-
Fall A+
Winter A+
Site Description and Habitats The old airpark inn area consists of a variety of habitats from lake shore along Reelfoot Lake to old field, picnic area camping areas, and young forests. The variety of habitats make this area very attractive to a wide variety of birds throughout the year. This is a must-visit location year round, but especially spring, fall and winter, and all for different reasons!
Bird species of interest
Spring and Fall Migration: Prothonotary and Yellow-throated Warblers can be found along the lakeshore and along the wooded trails near the old structures over the lake. Mississippi Kites can be found in late spring and all summer. A variety of vireos, warblers, and thrushes can be common, while Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeak can be found along forest edges.
Summer: Mississippi Kite, Prothonotary Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo,Northern Parula, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Warbling Vireo, among other summer residents. The area is rarely birded in summer, so get out there!
Winter: Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Tree Sparrow (typically in the young forest between the campground and the retention pond, but sometimes out in the short grass in the campground), Swamp, Field, Song, White-crowned and Fox Sparrows can be common, Winter Wrens and Hermit Thrush in the forest, and Rusty Blackbirds are regular in the mowed grassy areas and sometimes walking in the forest and flipping leaves. Waterfowl and geese can be flying over in the tens of thousands. American White Pelicans can see occasionally seen flying around or on the lake.
Year-Round: Barred Owls are found year round, more often heard than seen, but they are common here. Bald Eagles can be abundant in the area in winter.
Rarities Seen at this Site: Connecticut Warbler (heard singing in fall), Vermilion Flycatcher
Species list via eBird Hotspot Explorer
Submit your data to eBird here
Detailed directions for birding the Old Airpark Inn From the parking lot at the old Inn, there is a trail that goes into the woods along the lakeshore and comes out a bit further north nearer the north end of the gravel road loop. All the mowed paths through the young forest and the gravel roads around the area are great for birding year round. Scan the lake and marsh areas from the shoreline as available. Scanning the airfield can yield Eastern Meadowlarks and other birds, but it is typically pretty slow. In winter, scan the skies for geese and ducks moving around in large flocks. Sometimes they are heard only, so learn some goose calls! There is a public boat ramp on your right just before getting to the airpark. Be sure to pull in and scan the lake. You just never know what may show up on the lake.
Lat-Long (GPS) coordinates
Parking lot for the old Airpark: 36.47294, -89.343794
Gravel road that loops around through young forest: 36.478008, -89.342528
Fees and Hours
No fees are required to access these areas. The areas are accessible during daylight hours year round.
Hazards
In summer cottonmouths can be found on trails, and mosquitos can be brutal.
Facilities
There are no restroom facilities.
Contact
Reelfoot Lake State Park
2595 Hwy 21 E
Tiptonville, TN 38079
731-253-9652
Info for other sites
Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife web site
