Land Between the Lakes

Kentucky · Southeast

ModerateOfficial Site

Habitat

ForestWetlandGrassland

Best Seasons

SpringWinter

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, December-February

Entrance Fee

Free (some attractions have fees)

Hours

Open 24 hours

About This Location

Land Between the Lakes is a 170,000-acre national recreation area nestled between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, creating an inland peninsula rich in forest, wetland, and grassland habitats. Winter brings impressive concentrations of Bald Eagles to the lake shores.

The area's diverse habitats support breeding Cerulean Warblers, Wild Turkeys, and Red-headed Woodpeckers in summer, while the Hematite Lake area and Woodlands Nature Station offer excellent year-round birding with accessible trails.

Location

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Notable Species

Bald Eagle Wild Turkey Red-headed Woodpecker Cerulean Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Dunlin

Calidris alpina

3/4/2026Sloughs WMA, Sauerheber Unit--Hardy Slough2 observed

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

3/3/2026KY-841 N, Louisville US-KY 38.33193, -85.630571 observed

Purple Martin

Progne subis

3/3/2026The Birds Hideaway1 observed

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

3/3/2026Lexington Reservoirs #2 & #3 (Don't park or stop on the causeway)1 observed

Red-tailed Hawk (Harlan's)

Buteo jamaicensis

3/3/20267601–7999 KY-1129, Hickman US-KY (36.5395,-89.1110)1 observed

Red-tailed Hawk (abieticola)

Buteo jamaicensis

3/3/2026180–814 Freeman Rd, Fulton US-KY 36.51143, -88.990121 observed

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/3/2026Frogue Pond (restricted access; roadside viewing)1 observed

Surf Scoter

Melanitta perspicillata

3/3/2026Cannelton Lock and Dam (KY) (best viewed from Indiana side)1 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/2/2026Berea Rd pond4 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/2/2026Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area (KY)1 observed

Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

3/2/2026KY YARD1 observed

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

3/2/2026Sloughs WMA, Sauerheber Unit--Hardy Slough1 observed

Dunlin

Calidris alpina

3/2/2026Sloughs WMA, Sauerheber Unit--Hardy Slough1 observed

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/1/2026Rivers Edge Ponds (roadside viewing)1 observed

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/1/2026Rivers Edge Ponds (roadside viewing)1 observed

Orange-crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis celata

3/1/2026my farm1 observed

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/1/2026Rivers Edge Ponds (roadside viewing)1 observed

Surf Scoter

Melanitta perspicillata

3/1/20266001-6073 Ohio River Scenic Byway, Cannelton, Indiana, US (37.908, -86.685) Kentucky Side1 observed

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

3/1/2026Sloughs WMA, Sauerheber Unit*6 observed

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

3/1/2026Sloughs WMA, Sauerheber Unit*6 observed

Recent Observations

European Starling

11475 N US-27, Eubank US-KY 37.25535, -84.63864

3/4/2026

8 birds

American Kestrel

11475 N US-27, Eubank US-KY 37.25535, -84.63864

3/4/2026

1 birds

Turkey Vulture

11475 N US-27, Eubank US-KY 37.25535, -84.63864

3/4/2026

2 birds

Eastern Meadowlark