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Cravens HouseBirding Seasons: Spring A+ Summer A- Fall A+ Winter B
Site Description and Habitats The site is on the north facing slope of Lookout Mountain south of Chattanooga and is the Lookout Mountain Unit of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. The elevation difference is over 1,300'. The majority of the habitat is mixed mesic hardwoods with Virginia pines mixed with areas of various stages of scrubby secondary growth. The Cravens House is situated half-way up this slope. The Cravens House is a trailhead for over 30 miles of trails--Bluff Trail, Gill Trail, Gum Springs Trail, Hardy Trail, and Truck Trail. These go through hardwood forests and scrub growth on the slopes of Lookout Mountain. There's a small parking lot at the park by an overlook, a trail going through woods, and a small shrubby area that is a must hike in migration. This is a true hotspot in mid-April through 3rd week of May for warblers, vireos, thrushes and flycatchers. Cerulean Warblers stop here on migration more regularly than anywhere in southeast Tennessee (best time in late April). September through mid-October is a peak fall time for passerine migration. Bird species of interest Spring and Fall Migration: Blackpoll (spring only), Tennessee, Nashville, Canada, Magnolia,Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Blue-winged, Golden-winged, Cerulean (mid to late April and late July), Mourning, Connecticut, and Chestnut-sided Warblers, Red-eyed (can be abundant), Philadelphia and Blue-headed Vireo, Swainson's and Gray-cheeked Thrush, Veery,and Least Flycatcher. Raptor migration can be noted here as well with movements of Osprey, Bald Eagles, Broad-winged Hawk, Northern Harrier, and both vultures. Summer: Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Worm-eating and Hooded Warbler, Ovenbird. Winter: Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Purple Finch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Year-Round: American Crow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Cooper's Hawk, among other residents. Rarities Seen at this Site: Black-billed Cuckoo, Mississippi Kite Species list via eBird Hotspot Explorer Submit your data to eBird here
Detailed directions for birding Craven's House From the main parking area, walk the main trail/path that goes along the ridge top. Also, scan the gorge and the skies for raptors on the move. Lat-Long (GPS) coordinates Fees and Hours Facilities Contact Info for other sites
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