The Nickajack Naturalist

Learning About Reptiles in Tennessee

  Summer is a time when many people are enjoying the great outdoors, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, paddling, wildlife watching, etc.  It's also a time when one is likely to encounter one or more of the reptile species which inhabit the region while engaged in such activities. 

  You may have seen TWRA's website"Tennessee's Watchable Wildlife" featured on this blog previously.  The site recently announced the completion of its reptile section, where you can click on the photo of a turtle, snake, or lizzard to access pages containing extensive information, including photos, of all of the species of reptiles in Tennessee.  While the page still says "We are working on the snakes, which will be available shortly", disregard that, as the snake page is now completed.  Check it out at www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/reptiles.cfm.

  The section also contains links to several other related sites, including Atlas of Reptiles in Tennessee, Tennessee Herpetological Society, and SEPARC--Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.

Bob Butters

     

   

Grundy Lakes - Worth a Look

 
  One of the lesser known gems in the South Cumberland State Recreation Area system is Grundy Lakes State Park on the outskirts of Tracy City.

  Besides three lakes and 1.3 miles of hiking trail,the park contains the historic Lone Rock Coke Ovens, where locally mined coal was converted to coke until 1896.

  Facilities include rest rooms, picnic areas, a playground, swimming area, and basketball courts. 

 In addition to the hiking trail, a one-way paved road which loops around the upper lake and two sides of the main lake has a lane for walking, so there are a number of routes one can hike.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 One of the activities Grundy Lakes is best suited for is wildlife viewing and photography.  It's a great birding spot.  For example, it's the best location I know of for observing the usually very elusive wood duck.  One may also see an occasional great blue heron or red-headed woodpecker, among others.  While it's unlikely you'll see a beaver during the day, their signs are plentiful.  Deer are seen occasionally. 

 Where the road loops around the far end of the upper lake is a good place to see numerous dragonflies and damselflies.  Frogs and turtles are also common.  Click here to see a brochure on Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Cumberland Recreation Area and Grundy County.

  To see a map showing the park and hiking trail, click here.  On the Fiery Gizzard trail map, look at the extreme top of the map, just above and to the right of Tracy City to find Grundy Lakes.

 To learn more about the South Cumberland Recreation Area, visit the Friends of South Cumberland State Recreation Area's website at www.friendsofscsra.org.   

Chattanooga Nature Center and Reflection Riding Reorganize

  The Chattanooga Nature Center and Reflection Riding recently announced a reorganization resulting in the newly merged sites being known as the Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center.  Read more.

 
Visit their new website at www.chattanoogaanc.org.

Deer in the Garden

 Many gardeners in the Southern Cumberlands are familiar with the problems that deer can cause in the garden.  A recent article in the Chattanoogan, based on information from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, discusses a number of non-lethal options that might help keep them out.  Click here to read more. 

 

650 Acres Transfered to Little River Canyon Preserve

  The Nature Conservancy recently transfered 650 acres along the Little River Canyon in northeast Alabama to the National Park Service for addition to the Little River Canyon National Preserve.  Federal budget constraints threaten similar land deals in the future.   Read more. 

Mountain Goat Trail Receives Donation

 A residential development at Sewanee recently presented the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance with a $10,000 donation, with the potential for considerably more to come.  Read more.

Note:  This doesn't necessarily imply an endorsement of the aforementioned development.  As some of you know, I don't generally get enthused about the development of wild lands, as my first choice is to see them remain in a natural state.  All I know about this particular development is what's in the above referenced article.  In any case, I'm very grateful to the developer for their generosity.

Bob Butters