Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge
The Hiwassee Refuge is operated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which offers seminars and activities throughout the year. The Observation Platform is full of excellent interpretation about the area’s natural and cultural heritage. The Hiwassee Refuge is located in the Ridge and Valley province adjacent to theCumberland Plateau. Visitors will note that the scenery is very different from other featured sites on this trail. However, the site is a favorite stop each fall and late winter for over 50,000 migrating sandhill cranes. These birds make the Hiwassee Refuge their stop from nesting grounds in the north to wintering spots in Florida and Georgia. This is certainly a magnificent sight and a must-see for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. The Hiwassee Refuge is also a key site for the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership. In an attempt to restore the world's most endangered crane to the easternUnited States, the Partnership is teaching whooping cranes a migratory path from Wisconsin to Florida by training young birds to follow ultra-light aircraft. Hiwassee Refuge is quickly becoming an important stopover site for eastern whooping cranes, as at least four out of five whooping cranes migrating unassisted in Fall 2002 stopped at the Refuge. In addition, one of the four has decided to stop at Hiwassee and makeEast Tennesseeits winter home. Other waterbirds and eagles are often viewed from this area. A spotting scope is recommended in order to successfully see all that this site has to offer.
For More Information
525 Priddy Ln.
Birchwood, Tennessee 37308
Phone: (931) 484-9571
Website: http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/hiwassee_wildlife_refuge/
Nearby Attractions
- Yuchi Wildlife Management Area, 2.4 miles away
- Harmony House, 4.5 miles away
- ArtCrafters, 6.7 miles away
- Jacob Myers Deli, 6.7 miles away
- Dayton Coffee Shop, 6.8 miles away