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Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage AreaBirding Seasons: Spring A+ Summer A Fall A+ Winter A
Site Description and Habitats This site is a monument to Tennessee Valley Authority engineering. Water is pumped from the Tennessee River into a 528 acre man-made lake atop the mountain, where it is gravity-fed to turbines within the mountain to generate electricity. A tour of the facilities is available by taking an elevator deep underground. From the mountaintop visitor center, an observation deck provides a panoramic view of the beautiful Tennessee River Gorge. The area around Raccoon Mountain is a state-designated Wildlife Observation Area. Miles of hiking trails loop around the lake provide quite a nice hike, although they are also mountain biking trails so watch for bikers. Along the drive to Laurel Point visitors will pass a parking lot for this trailhead. Leads to miles of nice hiking trails.
Bird species of interest Spring and Fall Migration: Most warblers, vireos, thrushes and flycatchers can be found including Blackpoll (spring only), Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Blue-winged, and Hooded Warbler, Swainson's and Gray-cheeked Thrush, Least Flycatcher, and Philadelphia Vireo. Broad-winged Hawks are regular, with small numbers staying through the summer. Summer: Barn Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Eastern Kingbird, Northern Parula, Worm-eating Warbler, Pine and Prairie Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, Osprey, Chimney Swift, and Eastern Wood-pewee. Winter: Golden Eagle (rare, but likely regular), Dark-eyed Junco, Hermit Thrush, Brown Creeper, White-throated and Swamp Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and a smattering of waterfowl including Gadwall, American Black Duck, Redhead, and Ring-necked Duck. Year-Round: Bald Eagles nest adjacent to the storage "pond", Northern Mockingbird, Turkey and Black Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, andEastern Bluebird. Rarities seen at this site: Red-necked Grebe, White-winged Scoter Species List via eBird Hotspot Explorer - Visitor's center Species List via eBird Hotspot Explorer - Pump Station Facility (general hotspot) Species List via eBird Hotspot Explorer - Laurel Point Trail Submit your data to eBird here
Detailed directions for birding Racoon Mountain Pumped Storage Area Lat-Long (GPS) coordinates Fees and Hours Hazards Facilities Contact Info for other sites
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