It’s difficult to get tired of outdoor adventuring in a region with such diverse landscapes as Appalachia. From breathtaking mountain summits to rolling grasslands to bio-rich swamps, there is somewhere for everyone. Seven Islands State Birding Park is a wildlife refuge that encompasses many opportunities for nature experiences in one park. This destination not only promises great views and activities for outdoor enthusiasts of all experience levels, but its location in Kodak, a 45 minute drive from MC’s campus, makes it accessible and adventurous.
As the name suggests, a number of native bird species call Seven Islands their home. Over 190 species, to be exact.The refuge was created in an effort to preserve declining populations of aviary species such as the Northern Bobwhite, a bird whose natural habitat is endangered and is quickly becoming less common in East Tennessee. The Bobwhite’s distinctive namesake call (“Bob. Bob White? Bob. Bob White?”) is easy to pick out from the symphony of other chirps, squawks, and songs that fill the air throughout the park.
Pulling into the gravel parking lot delivers visitors to the native plant garden that graces the front of the welcome center, a historic barn that an array of swallows and owls inhabit. Plaques identifying various flowering plants and the correlating birds which feed on their fruit or seeds makes the connection between land and animal conservation easy to understand, one of the many ways Seven Islands promotes wildlife education and conservation. A wide, paved walkway ensures that the refuge is ADA accessible, so anyone and everyone has the ability to enjoy the scenic area. However, numerous trails diverge from the main path and each one has something different to offer. I followed the Loop trail over the bridge and onto the island which showcased the waterfowl habitat provided by the French Broad River– it even facilitates a heron rookery, encouraging the repopulation of the species.
Scattered along the path were numerous bluebird nest boxes, installed with snake-resistant bases to help protect the bluebird population. They also provide a great opportunity for pictures, like the one I snapped of what I’m pretty sure was a sparrow squatting in the bluebird abode. In addition to these photo ops, songbirds were abundant in branches and fields all around. The park feels like a perfect mixture between the outdoors and outside in this way, with man made aspects working in harmony with the natural environment.
Further from the welcome center and down small trail offshoots the landscape is more swampy and the creeping vines and gnarled trees gives it the ambiance of an enchanted forest, the echoes of shrill and sing-song bird calls blanketing the wooded area with a half-calming, half-eerie white noise. The occasional butterfly interrupted the stillness of the grove but added to the storybook feel of the refuge, and I found myself tempted to wander the side trails for hours, just observing the winged creatures that call it home.
If you have ever found yourself fascinated by our feathered friends, now is a wonderful time to pursue that interest. Tennessee’s aviary population is hugely diverse, and as spring migration has been taking place there are countless species of birds that are active and visible. Whether you’re an amateur birdwatcher or a veteran ornithologist, Seven Islands State Birding Park should be on everyone’s summer bucket list. The educational and enrichment value of nature reserves like this one do no good unless we utilize them, and I promise you won’t be disappointed by an excursion to Seven Islands.
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