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Erwin Linear Trail

Birding Seasons:

Spring A

Summer B

Fall A

Winter B

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Site Description and Habitats

The trail is a 1.5 mile long trail that parallels the Nolichucky River with trail along ponds and smaller creeks. The trail is paved and travels along a flat river bottom. There are fishing docks and boardwalks over wetlands. The marshes, wetlands, and woods the trail travels through provides for a nice birding opportunity, although interstate noise can be loud. Although it is an "urban" trail, it is a nice place to visit for modest birding in town and worth a stop if you have time.

Bird species of interest:

Spring and Fall Migration: Palm, Blackpoll (spring only), Yellow-rumped Warblers, Spotted and Solitary Sandpiper, Wood Duck,

Summer: Chimney Swift

Winter: White-throated Sparrow, Purple Finch, Rusty Blackbird, Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglet

Year-Round: Song Sparrow, American Crow, Red-bellied and Downy Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, Canada Goose

Species list via eBird Hotspot Explorer

Submit your data to eBird here

Detailed directions for birding Erwin Linear Trail
The trail is just off exit 37 on I-26 in Unicoi County. Upon exiting the interstate, travel east towards Erwin. The park can be accessed from 2 locations. First, there is parking off Willow Park Rd, which is the first right after going under the interstate overpass. The second access is either at the McDonalds Restaurant or via Brown Rd, which is leads to a gravel drive and a parking lot at a trail head.

Lat-Long (GPS) coordinates
Access area: 36.150858 -82.416623

Fees and Hours
Open year round, daylight hours. No fees associated with daily use.

Facilities
There are no restroom facilities, but McDonald's is nearly always open in a pinch.

Info for other sites
Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife web site