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Bells Bend Park

Birding Seasons:
Spring A+
Summer A
Fall A+
Winter A-

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Site Description and Habitats

Bells Bend Park takes its name from a bend of the same name in the Cumberland River and consists of 808 acres of weedy fields, reclaimed pastures, and riparian woodlands. Several miles of paved and mulched hiking trails and old farm roads are accessible at both entrances into the park. There is a campsite with primitive campsites (permit and small fee required). A visit to Bells Bend Park is a nice complement to a visit to nearby Beaman Park, due to the vastly different habitats supported by the two parks.

Bird species of interest
Spring and Fall Migration: Willow and Alder Flycatchers, Grasshopper Sparrows in spring. Yellow and Prothonotary Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, and migrating raptors.

Summer: Large numbers of Field Sparrows, Yellow-breasted Chats, Common Yellowthroats, Prairie Warblers, Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks and Red-winged Blackbirdsbreed on site. Henslow's Sparrows are rare breeding birds, but have not occurred for a couple since years. Blue-winged Warblers breed here, but are tough to find once the late spring heat gets high.

Winter: Sparrows are abundant, including White-throated, White-crowned, Song, Swamp,and Field. At dusk American Woodcocks can be heard calling and seen displaying in February and March.

Year-Round: Northern Bobwhite, Barred Owls, Carolina Wrens, Bald Eagle

Rarities Seen at this Site:
LeConte's Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow

Species list via eBird Hotspot Explorer

Submit your data to eBird here

Other wildlife viewing opportunities
In the warm months, butterflies and sometimes dragonflies can be abundant.

Cultural and Historical Interests/Activities
Bells Bend Outdoor Center houses various natural and cultural history displays and programming space. There is a library with a collection of natural and cultural history titles and local history folders. The historic 1842 Buchanon House and a demonstration garden by the Friends of Bells Bend are all there.

Detailed directions for birding
Bells Bend is located in northwest Nashville (Davidson County) and accessed via I-40, exit # 204. From that exit, go north on Briley Parkway. Take exit #24 and turn left onto State Rt. 12 toward Ashland City. Go over 2 miles and turn left at the stop light onto Old Hickory Blvd. Go 4 miles and the first entrance to Bells Bend Park is on your right. Go to the second park entrance for the Bells Bend Outdoor Center.

From the Outdoor Center, you can walk mowed paths through the fields and woods around the park, all the way down to the Cumberland River.

Lat-Long (GPS) coordinates
Nature Center:
36.153955, -86.920214

Fees and Hours
No fees are required to access these areas. The areas are accessible during daylight hours year round. Outdoor Center is open - Tuesday: 12-4 p.m. Thursday: 12-4 p.m. Saturday: 9a.m.-4 p.m.

Facilities
There are modern bathroom facilities available outside the Outdoor Center.

Contact:
Bells Bend Outdoor Center
4187 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN 37218
(615) 862-4187
bellsbend@nashville.gov

Other sites
Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife web site