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South Holston Lake AreaBirding Seasons: Spring A Summer B Fall A Winter A+
Site Description and Habitats The major draw to South Holston Dam, Middlebrook lake and other access points is waterbirds. There are woodlands at most areas that can be interesting for woodland birds and some trail hiking. Countless rarities and high counts of waterbirds have occurred in the area. Musick's Campground has been a consistent place for Eared Grebe in winter for 20 years, although they were tough to find in winter 2013-14. Be sure to explore all the boat ramps and access points mentioned below. South Holston Dam and Weir: This dam on the south fork of the Holston River has created a rather large, deep lake. The weir is located about a mile downstream from the dam. At the main parking lot for the weir, scan for wintering ducks. Buffleheads are usually the most numerous, but also look for Mallard, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Redhead (mainly late winter), and Ruddy Duck. Rarer sightings have included Canvasback, Long-tailed Duck, and scoters. Once a Harlequin Duck was found on the upper reaches! Walk across the foot-bridge to Osceola Island and follow the trail to the back side of the island or completely around it. Winter also finds Hermit Thrush, kinglets, Brown Creeper, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and others. Yellow-throated Warbler and Northern Parula nest here in summer, as do Cliff Swallows at the road bridge. Continuing up the road are additional pull-offs from which to scan the river. Ruffed Grouse are occasionally seen beside the road heading up to the top of the dam. Scan the lake from pull-offs on top of the dam. Loons, grebes, ducks, gulls, and Bald Eagle may be seen in winter, with Osprey in migration. Restrooms are available at the weir and in the visitor center on top of the dam. Musick's Campground: This is the crown jewel of waterbird sites in northeast Tennessee. This site is located on the shoreline overlooking the Spring Creek embayment and the main channel of South Holston Lake, with Holston Mountain and its foothills across the lake. The campground is private property, so note that you MUST sign in and out at the box on the right just past the garden. Depending on the water level, drive out as far as you can toward the lakeshore, staying on graveled areas. Stop and scan the lake and shoreline. Afternoon provides the best lighting. A spotting scope is necessary. The variety of birds seen here includes ducks and geese, loons and grebes, cormorants, herons and egrets, coots, Sandhill Crane, shorebirds, gulls and terns, Belted Kingfisher, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Common Raven, American Pipit, and swallows. Eared Grebe is regular from fall through spring, usually numbering 1-8 birds. At the nearby public boat ramp, scan a small arm of the lake; also, the wooded area beside the entrance road is good for fall warblers. Boat ramp at 421 bridge: In winter look for ducks, loons, grebes, and gulls. Yellow-throated and Pine Warblers nest in the pine trees here. Middlebrook Lake: This is a small private lake with birding limited to scanning from the roadway on top of the dike. Do not walk off the road. Wintering ducks are the main attraction here. Large numbers of Hooded Mergansers are usually present. Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, and Lesser Scaup also occur regularly. Small numbers of coots and Pied-billed Grebes can be seen. Flocks of Ring-billed Gulls often linger here, sometimes with a few Herring or Bonaparte's mixed in. Black-crowned Night-Heron is possible in fall or early winter. Rarer sightings have included Ross's Goose, Long-tailed Duck, scoters, and Common Merganser. Rarities Seen at this Site: Many rare and unusual species have been found here, such as Pacific Loon, Red-throated Loon, Great White Heron, Marbled Godwit, Red Knot, Sabine's Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, Sooty Tern, and Snow Bunting. Species list via eBird Hotspot Explorer - Middlebrook Lake Species list via eBird Hotspot Explorer- Musick's Campground Species list via eBird Hotspot Explorer - South Holston Dam Species list via eBird Hotspot Explorer - South Holston Dam Weir Submit your data to eBird here
Detailed directions for birding South Holston Lake Area Musick's Campground: Continue east on Hwy 421, turn left onto Hwy 44. In 2.8 miles turn right onto Painter Creek Road (VA 701). Note that you have entered Virginia, but will re-enter Tennessee shortly. Over the hill at the sharp right curve, turn left into a gravel driveway for Musick's Lakeside Campground. Stop and sign in and out, then drive out to the lakeshore. When exiting turn left and left at the fork then left again into a gravel driveway to a public boat ramp. Retrace steps back to Hwy 421. Boat ramp at 421 bridge: Continue east on Hwy 421, cross the bridge over the lake, turn right into parking lot for the boat ramp. Middlebrook Lake: From the junction of Hwy 394 and 421 (west of Holston Lake), go east on route 435 (Bristol Cavern Hwy), go 1 block and turn left on Old Jonesboro Road. Stay on this road, turning right at the second stop sign (still Old Jonesboro Rd.). After crossing a creek at the bottom of the hill, go 0.5 mile and turn left onto Trammel Road. At the stop sign, turn left onto King College Road, go 1 block and turn right onto Brookwood Drive, go 1 block and turn right onto Redstone Drive. Stay on this to the dam forming the lake and stop in the straight section of road mid-way down the dike. Lat-Long (GPS) coordinates Fees and Hours Facilities Info for other sites
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