In last month’s issue of Photoandtravel.com, I just couldn’t cover enough of the senior activities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee .  Birding and dining – now don’t get the idea that I’m going to talk about hunting birds and eating them too!  No, that’s for another issue down the road.  What I’m talking about is some of the best birding for those seniors who love to watch our little feathered friends and all that goes with “the hunt.” Posted here is Tennessee’s state bird the Northern Mockingbird.  

More than 200 species have been recorded in Oak Ridge.   During the fall season (September through November),  you’ll be able to spot some of these tweeters, chirpers, and warblers:  Acadian Flycatcher, American Coot, American Goldfinch, American Woodcock, Barn Swallow, Belted Kingfisher, Black-crowned Night-heron, Blue-winged Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Canada Goose,  Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, Cedar Waxwing, Chimney Swift, Chipping Sparrow, Chuck-will’s widow, Common Yellowthroat, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Tufted Titmouse, Field Sparrow, Glue-gray Gnatcatcher, Great Blue Heron, Great Crested Flycatcher, Green Heron, Hairy Woodpecker, Hooded Warbler, House Finch, Indigo Bunting, Kentucky Warbler, Northern Bobwhite, Northern Flicker, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Parula, Orchard Oriole, Ovenbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Prairie Warbler, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-winged Blackbird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Scarlet Tanager, Song Sparrow, Summer Tanager, Swamp Sparrow, Whip-poor-will, White-breasted Nuthatch, White-eyed Vireo, White-throated Sparrow, Wild Turkey, Wood Duck, Wood Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and many others not listed during other seasons.

Where to watch for the birds: University of Tennessee Arboretum  -  five miles of trails through 260 acres featuring 800 species of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants.   Melton Lake Greenway – a 3.4 mile paved walkway which runs along the western shore of Melton Hill Lake.  Two miles of the trail are handicapped accessible.  This trail offers viewing of waterfowl.  Gallaher Bend Greenway – a quiet forested trail offers a diverse setting of woodlands, field, and lake shore for a variety of birds.  This is a federal land.  The trail is four miles roundtrip in summer and five miles roundtrip in winter.  North Ridge Trail – designated as both a national and state recreation trail, this nearly eight mile trail provides a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and native plants while traversing seven and a half miles of ridge side woodland and creek areas with almost three miles of accessible ancillary trails.  North Boundary Greenway Trail – is a seven mile trail which passes over and along Bear Creek and East Fork Poplar Creek as it crosses into lowland forest regions mature with river bank shrubs and scrubs and wetland forest habitats.  Ascending also up to the top of Black Oak Ridge and winding through upland hardwood and pine forests, the North Boundary Greenway Trail accommodates twenty-two out of thirty-two bird species listed on “species of conservation concern” which breed in this area as well as seven species on the Partners in Flight’s national watch list.

While the birds may not care about fine dining and home cooked meals, the bird watcher will.  In Oak Ridge, Tennessee you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find gastronomy which will set your palate to dancing!  Start out at the Jefferson Soda Fountain, where the day begins with pecan pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, grits, biscuits, and all the coffee you can order.  While waiting for your meal, browse through the adjacent pharmacy where you’ll find one-of-a-kind ceramics, purses, bags, and table ware.  They will ship your purchases back home for a nominal fee. 

No one can resist Big Ed’s pizza at 101 Broadway, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 1-865-482-4885.  Although Big Ed isn’t here anymore, his big way of making pizza has endured the tests of time!  Go ahead, and order one of each on the menu.  This pizza is so good; you’ll be craving it for breakfast the next day.  Don’t be surprised if you look down and find you’ve eaten all of it in one sitting – it is addicting!

Another great place for lunch or to hold a large meeting at lunch time is the Museum of Appalachia, where you’ll receive home cooked southern styled food that just melts in your mouth.  Why, your taste buds will be shoutin’ Hallelujah!

One other place I don’t want you to miss while exploring for a great dining experience is Flatwater Grill.  This beautifully appointed restaurant which sits beside the water’s edge on one of America’s prettiest rowing lakes, Melton Lake.  The food is served elegantly and well seasoned.  The portions are more than adequate.  Dessert will haunt you.  The Crème Brulee’ is to die for!  I’m having cravings for it right now while remembering the experience!  Happy Birding and Dining in Oak Ridge, Tennessee!

(photos are courtesy of Rhonda Pipkin, Oak Ridge Tourism Board)