Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, Duck River Unit

Saturday was the annual Waterfowl/Bald Eagle Tour at Duck River Bottoms. This is the one afternoon the refuge allows visitors back into the areas closed off to the public every November 15 through March 15. I had hoped we could hike through the refuge, but the tour was strictly limited to (free) staff-guided bus tours and self-guided automobile tours. We chose to take the bus tour before finishing off our day with the self-guided tour.

 

 

We saw untold thousands of ducks on the bus tour, as well as several bald eagles, though never were we close enough to see any detail. We did, however, get a couple of good looks at some red-tailed hawks gliding just above the surface, presumably in search of a meal. As the bus slowly rolled down the gravel road, I didn't realize just how much hands-on management is involved in operating a wildlife refuge. It is a truly complex operation the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service runs here, providing food and protection for wintering waterfowl.

 

A few of the ducks on one of the nine ponds

 



Another of the nine ponds

 

The highlight of the day for me came near the end of the auto tour when we came upon a refuge volunteer with a scope trained on a bald eagle watching over its nest in an adjacent tree. The clear view of the eagle was of a quality nearly rivaling what you might see on a PBS nature show. It was pretty cool. What a great way to top off what was a beautiful winter day here along the shores of Kentucky Lake. 

 

Traffic on the Tennessee River

 

In early spring, these waters are known for some of the

best crappie fishing in the United States.