Whether you’re a “wake up to the sound of birds” type, or a “please be quiet I’m trying to sleep” type, we’re all getting a new soundtrack to our Tennessee mornings.

Here’s the pitch: Imagine getting out of bed in the morning, sitting out on the patio, or going for a hike. Instead of just a bunch of noise, you hear the songs of a summer tanager and a Carolina wren. You could even learn their colors, habits, and favorite foods. The upshot: You should really get into birdwatching.

You could wing it, or…

A little bit of preparation goes a long way — i.e., you don’t need to drop your tax return on binos (although it couldn’t hurt to look).

What might help:

A field guide. Instead of trying to name them all on your own, bring a physical guide like the “Birds of Tennessee Field Guide” or an app like Merlin. If you bring your favorite local newsletter, too, we wouldn’t hate it.
Bird food. A backyard or window feeder brings the birds to you. Try The Wood Thrush Shop or Wild Birds Unlimited.
Your new best birdie. Local experts + hobbyists will love to show you the ropes. Link up with the Cumberland-Harpeth Audubon Society or stop by the Warner Park Nature Center so you don’t fly solo.

Meet the stars of the show

Great Crested Flycatcher

📍Suitable habitats | 🗓️ May-September (breeding season) | Song

Killdeer

📍Open habitats (pastures + plowed fields) | 🗓️Year-round | Song

Barred Owl

📍Warner Parks + Radnor Lake State Park | 🗓️Year-round, nest in early March | Song

Belted Kingfisher

📍Open water (lakes, streams + ponds) | 🗓️Year-round, most active in summer | Song

Swamp Sparrow

📍Marshes + low, grassy or bushy fields | 🗓️September-May | Song

Blue Grosbeak

📍Successional habitats (brushy pastures + vacant fields with shrubs) | 🗓 April-September | Song

Brown-headed cowbird

📍Open country + agricultural lands | 🗓 Year-round | Song

Baltimore Oriole

📍Open deciduous woodlands | 🗓 April-September | Song

Northern Parula

📍Bottomland, riparian + ravine woodlands | 🗓 April-September | Song

Purple Martin

📍East side of downtown Nashville (by July) | 🗓 March-September | Song