Event Calendar

This calendar is a general guide to seasonal wildlife and public use events. Weather may cause slight variations. Friends of Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge presents a monthly seminar called "The Refuge Discovery Series" held at the Paris headquarters on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Please contact the refuge office for specific details on refuge events and activities

January

Waterfowl populations usually peak in early January. Canada geese, mallards, black ducks, gadwalls, American wigeon and many other species are concentrated on embayments, impounded waters and other protected areas. This is the month Bald Eagles are most numerous.

• Refuge Discovery Series - "What's at My Feeder"
• Public Waterfowl Tour at Duck River Bottoms typically 2nd or 3rd Saturday in January.

February

Herring and ring-billed gulls begin to gather and stage on the Big Sandy Unit. Late in the month large numbers of ducks and geese begin to leave the refuge for the return flight northward.

• Refuge Discovery Series - "Backyard Habitat"

March

Crappie season starts in Kentucky Lake. Great blue herons start nesting. By mid-month many of the waterfowl have left the refuge.Wood ducks begin nesting and will bring off broods in late April.

• Refuge Discovery Series - " Turkey Hunting Tips"
• Saturday, March 10th, work day to restore the Chickasaw Trail, Big Sandy Unit
• Friday, March 16th, refuge areas closed for the wintering waterfowl are opened to the public.

April

Blue winged teal can be seen on the refuge as late departing migrants. Wild turkeys become active as the courtship season arrives. Catfish and bass fishing peak in late April. Crappie fishing peaks in mid April. Osprey can be seen migrating northward along the Tennessee River. Squirrels become more noticeable in the woodlands as spring time blossoms on the refuge.

• Refuge Discovery Series - "Snakes and Reptiles"

Spring Turkey hunting begins on the refuge and follows the state-wide seasons. See refuge hunt brochure for more details

 

May

Early in the month is peak migration time for warblers, songbirds and other birds migrating through the area. Shorebirds can be seen best in the Duck River Bottoms area.

• International Migratory Bird Day celebration at Britton Ford Trailhead, west side of the Big Sandy Unit, Saturday May 12th

June

Deer with fawns become more conspicuous. Mayflies hatch late in month and bluegill fishing improves.

• Refuge Discovery Series - "Painting on the refuge" at the Britton Ford area, west side of the Big Sandy Unit with Ann Stapp

July

Beaver are very active along sloughs and creeks. Owls can be heard late in the evening.

• Refuge Discovery Series- "Insects and Butterflies"
• Friends of Tennessee NWR wood duck banding event at Duck River Bottoms.

August

Numerous turtles can be seen in the sun on stumps and banks in the Duck River Bottoms.

• Refuge Discovery Series - "Wildlife and Nature Photography on the Refuge"
• Squirrel hunting begins on the refuge following state-wide seasons. See refuge hunt brochure for more details.

September

Mourning doves numbers reach a peak this month. The blue-winged teal migration comes in early or mid-month. Canada geese and a few species of ducks begin arriving in late September. Osprey migrate southward for the winter.

• Annual Friends of Tennessee NWR Cookout at V.L. Childs Overlook, west side of the Big Sandy Unit.
• Resident Canada goose hunt is held the beginning of the month. See refuge hunt brochure for more details.

October

Monarch butterflies can be seen migrating southward. This is the best month for fall bass fishing. The white-tailed deer are most visible at this time.

• Girl Friends Day Trail Event at Britton Ford Hiking Trail, west side of the Big Sandy Unit, women only, Saturday Oct. 20th, 9:00 - 12:00
• Deer and raccoon hunts begin on the refuge. See refuge hunt brochure for more details.

November

Mallards, gadwall, wigeon, green-winged teal and pintails arrive in large numbers. Red-tailed hawks numbers are at the peak of their fall migration. Bald eagles and a few golden eagles will move into the area for the winter. Several species of loons can be seen on Big Sandy Unit open water. Flocks of white pelicans are more frequent on the refuge through December.

• Refuge Discovery Series - "Duck and Goose calling"
• All hunting seasons end on the refuge mid November. Sections of the refuge close to provide waterfowl with sanctuary on Thursday, November 15th

December

Waterfowl numbers increase during this period. Bird watching for ducks and geese is excellent. Both coots and grebes can be seen throughout the refuge.

Refuge Discovery Series - "This is Your Refuge”