Bird watching is the best kind of hobby: easy, inexpensive, and fun. It is a pastime you can do anywhere at any time of the day. If you are really good, you can even go birding at night by listening to and identifying the sounds of nocturnal species such as owls, whip-poor-wills and the common nighthawk.

 According to John Champion of Telliquah Outfitters in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, bird watching is a great diversion for young and old alike. It is very popular along the nearby Cherohala Skyway, which bisects the Cherokee National Forest and is right outside the Outfitters’ front door.

 “Birds love edges, and the Skyway offers 57 miles of edges on both sides of the road,” he said.  “All the pull-offs offer great birding opportunities. And bird watching requires very little equipment. All you need is a pair of binoculars and a good field guide.”

 April and May are the height of warbler migration on the Skyway, making it prime bird watching season, when some of the highest populations of migrating birds visit the area.

 “Some of the warblers stay at the higher elevations and breed while others move on later in the spring,” said Champion. “They come back again in August and September.”

 During this time, you can also see vireos, grosbeaks, tanagers, and even a junco or two, the latter of which breeds at higher elevations and migrate downward to lower levels.

 You can stop by the Outfitters to find out about local bird populations, migration patterns and how to identify the frequent feathered guests that visit the Tellico Plains and Cherohala Skyway neighborhoods. While there, sign up for one of their birding trips.

 “Our birding trips are led by a certified naturalist,” said Champion. “Trips are most often by car, on the Cherohala Skyway, where we can pull off at various points to locate the birds. Trips are offered April-May and mid-September to mid-October.”

 “This is a great way to better learn field ID tips and birding by ear,” Champion continued. “Birding trips are approximately 3-4 hours and include a light pastry breakfast and coffee from Tellico Grains Bakery”

 Whether first time birders or seasoned field experts, your guide will share field experiences and expertise on this topic. These low impact tours are great for people of all ages to enjoy.

 “The high bird count in our area can be attributed to the diverse habitats found in our southern end of the Cherokee National Forest,” said Champion. “Elevations range from about 700 feet to over 6,000 feet above sea level to create a variety of ecosystems.”

 At 640,000 acres, the Cherokee National Forest is the largest tract of protected public land in Tennessee. Here you’ll find more than 20,000 species of plants and animals. There are approximately 400 species of birds that have been identified in Tennessee. The Cherokee National Forest plays host to some 262 of these birds either year-round or seasonally.

 Like Henry David Thoreau, consider any day wasted that you don’t go for a walk and enjoy nature. One of the keys to good environmental stewardship is learning about your environment.  Bird watching is a great way to do that.

  

For more information on bird watching, visit Champion at the Telliquah Outfitters located at

1650 Cherohala Skyway (Hwy. 165) in Tellico Plains.

Phone: 423-253-3081.  Website: www.telliquahoutfitters.com or Email: info@telliquahoutfitters.com. Their hours are Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and other times by appointment.