Monday, February 16 - Friday, February 20, 2026 // Time: 7:30am – 5:30pm daily
Final Day to Register: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Cost: $1285 (single rate); $925 (double rate)
Capacity: 12 (6 minimum)
Join Alabama Audubon for a self-driven tour of northwestern Tennessee and southeastern Missouri in exploration along one of North America’s most important migratory flyways: the Mississippi River! Executive Director Dr. Scot Duncan and Program Coordinator Andrew Lydeard will guide participants around parts of Reelfoot Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and adjacent wildlife management areas (WMA’s) in Tennessee and Conservation Areas (CA’s) in nearby Missouri. Andrew spent nearly three years exploring this area while in graduate school at Murray State University (KY) and will lead us to some of the birdiest locations in the region.
Reelfoot Lake was formed by powerful New Madrid Fault earthquakes in 1811–1812 that briefly reversed the Mississippi River’s flow and now provides nearly 15,000 acres of important bird habitat in western Tennessee. As the arrival of spring nears, this area serves as a critical staging and stopover ground for hundreds of thousands of waterfowl that rely on Reelfoot Lake and the fertile floodplains of the river as they travel north to breed. Thousands of waterbirds can be found at this time of year, including thousands of gulls, ducks, geese, cormorants, and American White Pelicans. Occasional rarities like Pacific and Red-throated Loons, Red-necked and Eared Grebes, and ducks like Long-tailed Ducks or Surf Scoters are regularly found throughout the cold months and in migration here. Additionally, the fertile grassland ecosystems and agricultural lands found in Mississippi Alluvial Plain in both Tennessee and Missouri provide multiple habitat types that provide wintering grounds for unique open-sky or grassland species difficult to find elsewhere in the southeast: LeConte’s Sparrows, thousands of Lapland Longspurs, Rough-legged Hawks, Western Meadowlarks, and many other potential species!
We will travel by caravan each day, led by your Alabama Audubon guides in the lead vehicle. On the first day at Reelfoot Lake, we will be embarking on a pontoon boat tour of the lake to serach for Bald Eagle nests and waterfowl that can be found on the lake (weather dependent). Each vehicle behind the guides will be provided with a walkie talkie, so that we can stay in touch during the drives to point out wildlife or scenery along the way. Your guides will have spotting scopes that will be shared with you but feel free to bring your own if you have one! Binoculars can be borrowed for the duration of the trip, but please reach out to your guides before the trip if you want to borrow a pair. Water and electrolytes will be provided during the day of each outing, but we recommend bringing your own water, snacks, and other items for the intervals between meals.
This trip has been designed for photographers and birders of all levels and guarantees some of this region’s best landscapes, wildlife, and experiences with Alabama’s best birding guides.
This is an active journey and includes lodging at the Hampton Inn (Dyersburg) with fully scheduled days that may include up to two (2) hours at a time on trails as a group and may cover up to two (2) miles unassisted on each half-day activity. Expect about eight (8) hours each day of mild to moderate physical outdoor activity, including embarking and disembarking from your vehicle, standing, and walking.
We will try to make regular stops for restroom breaks, but there may be times when your guides advise you that there may be a longer driving time between stops. As we are often not in designated hiking or recreational areas, there is no guarantee that benches or places to rest will be available, so we recommend bringing your own chair or returning to your car when needed. Please let your guides know if you have any accommodation requirements that we might be able to assist you with so that we can ensure as much comfort on this trip as possible.
Trip Details: Single Rate: $1285 per person // Double Rate: $925 per person
Itinerary Summary
Independent arrivals in Dyersburg, TN on Monday, February 16, 2026
Four (4) Nights at Hampton Inn - Dyersburg, Tennessee
Birding at Reelfoot Lake State Park and NWR, Black Water Bayou WMA, Little River CA (Missouri), and other regional locations
Independent Departures from Hampton Inn – Dyersburg on Friday, February 20, 2026
Group Size and Guides: 2 hosts/guides and up to 12 guests; minimum of six (6) guests needed for the trip to run
Inclusions
Accommodations (4 nights at Hampton Inn) and activities as described in the itinerary
Two (2) expert birding guides + shared spotting scopes provided by Alabama Audubon
All entry fees to preserves & refuges, including a guided pontoon boat trip on Reelfoot Lake with Reelfoot Lake State Park staff
Four (4) continental breakfasts at the hotel
One (1) Welcome Dinner at the Blacksmith in Dyersburg, TN (Monday, February 16th)
Two (2) drinks at the Welcome Dinner, which can include up to one alcoholic drink (beer or house wine)
Gratuities for included meals and guided tours
Walkie talkies on loan for caravaning during the trip
Binoculars for loan (must be arranged with your guides before the trip!)
Exclusions
Travel costs to the area, including airline tickets and fees, car rentals, or gas/mileage expenses
Travel insurance
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary as included
Alcoholic beverages not covered in the Welcome Dinner
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Tips for housekeeping / local guides
Other expenses of a personal nature
Any other items or services not covered in the itinerary
Registration and Accommodations
The last day to register is Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Full payment is due at the time of registration. Unsold rooms will be released back to the hotel after the registration deadline. New bookings may be accommodated if Alabama Audubon is able to re-acquire the necessary rooms.
The cost of your hotel accommodations is included. Alabama Audubon will book your hotel reservation.
Guests will be staying at the following hotel:
Dyersburg Hampton Inn
2750 Mall Loop Road,
Dyersburg, TN 38024
(731) 285-4778
Cancellation Policy
Trip cancellation by passenger: Refunds due to cancellations by participants will be issued at the discretion of Alabama Audubon as follows:
30+ days before the trip date: full refund issued
30 – 22 days before trip date: 50% refund issued
0 – 21 days before trip date: 0% refund issued
All participant cancellations are effective from the date that written notification, including email, is confirmed as received by Alabama Audubon.
Trip cancellation by Alabama Audubon:
Should Alabama Audubon cancel this event due to force majeure or extraordinary causes beyond Alabama Audubon’s control, monies paid to Alabama Audubon will be refunded to the greatest extent possible after expenses incurred to arrange the trip (e.g., hotel reservations) are paid.
Full refunds will be provided if the trip is cancelled due to an insufficient number of registrations.
Meals:
Included meals with the price of this trip are all breakfasts (4) at the hotel each morning and one (1) Welcome Dinner on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Blacksmith Restaurant in Dyersburg, TN. On the first morning of our first full day (Tuesday, February 17, 2025), we are going to depart from the hotel earlier than our other mornings, and breakfast to-go will be provided by the hotel.
The Blacksmith:
2320 Amanda Ave,
Dyersburg, TN 38024
To ensure everyone can choose the food type and amount they want or need, participants will be responsible for paying for all other meals, which includes three (3) lunches and three (3) dinners. Please see the detailed itinerary below, so you can expect where to eat during those meals.
We will eat the standard continental breakfast provided by the hotel each morning before we depart. Participants are responsible for providing any additional items not included in the continental breakfast. The Welcome Dinner will be at The Blacksmith and includes an entrée, side, two beverages (coffee, soda, water, and no more than one alcoholic drink (beer or wine)). Guests are responsible for additional food and drinks during this meal. We will aim for lunch at 12:00pm and dinner at 6:00pm during the duration of the trip, though this may vary depending on how our day is progressing.
Water and Propel electrolyte packets will be available from Alabama Audubon during the days we are exploring the area. However, guests are responsible for their own snacks, meals, and miscellaneous purchases during the duration of the trip. We recommend packing extra food and drinks to consume between meals.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Monday, February 16, 2025
CHECK INTO HOTEL / DINNER AT THE BLACKSMITH
3:00pm – Check into Hampton Inn – Dyersburg using your name under Alabama Audubon room block
5:45pm – Depart in your own vehicles to The Blacksmith Restaurant for the Welcome Dinner (5-minute drive from hotel): Address: The Blacksmith, 2320 Amanda Ave, Dyersburg, TN 38024
Day 2 – Tuesday, February 17, 2025
REELFOOT LAKE STATE PARK AND NWR
6:00 am – 6:30 am – Buffet breakfast at the hotel
6:30am – Depart Dyersburg for Reelfoot Lake State Park (30-minute drive)
7:00am – 11:00am – Reelfoot Lake State Park
11:00am – 12:00pm – Lunch at Boyette’s Dining Room (5-minute drive from the lake)
Address: Boyette’s Dining Room, 10 Boyette Rd, Tiptonville, TN 38079
12:00pm – 1:30pm – Reelfoot Lake State Park Visitor and Raptor Center (5-minutes from Boyette’s)
1:30pm – 4:00pm – Reelfoot State Park Boat Trip
4:00pm – 5:30pm – Reelfoot Lake Sunset and Roost Watch
5:30pm – Depart to Dyersburg for dinner (30-minute drive)
6:00pm – 7:00pm – Dinner at Mojos Address: Mojos , 575 Mall Blvd suite k ,Dyersburg, TN 38024
Day 3 – Wednesday, February 18, 2025
TENNESSEE GRASSLANDS: TUMBLEWEED AND BOGOTA WMAs
6:00 am – 6:30 am – Buffet breakfast at the hotel
6:45am – Depart Dyersburg for Tumbleweed WMA (30-minute drive)
7:15am – 11:30am – Tumbleweed WMA and Mississippi River floodplains and bottomlands
12:00pm – 1:00pm – Lunch in Dyersburg at Coby Jo’s Restaurant (30-minute drive from Tumbleweed WMA) Address: Coby Jo’s Diner, 1695 Forrest St, Dyersburg, TN 38024
1:30pm – 4:30pm – Bogota WMA (20-minute drive from Dyersburg)
5:00pm – 6:00pm – Early dinner at Las Lomas Mexican Restaurant before owling Address: Las Lomas Mexican Restaurant
1430 U.S. 51 Bypass E
Dyersburg, TN 38024
6:30pm – 8:30pm (**OPTIONAL EVENT**) – Owling at Tumbleweed / Bogota WMAs (30-minutes from Dyersburg/restaurant and the hotel)
Day 4 – Thursday, February 19, 2025
MISSOURI’S BOOTHEEL: LITTLE RIVER CA & MISSISSIPPI RIVER
ALUVIAL FLOODPLAINS
6:00 – 6:30 am – Buffet breakfast at the hotel
6:45am – Depart Dyersburg for Little River Conservation Area (CA) (MO) (45-minute drive)
8:15am – 11:30am – Little River Conservation Area
11:30am – 12:30pm – Lunch in Kennett, MO at Alulla Hubachi and Sushi (15 minutes from Little River CA) Address: Alulla Hibachi and Sushi, 100 College Ave, Kennett, MO 63857
12:30pm – 5:00pm – Longspur, Pipit, and Horned Lark Hunt along the River (25 minutes from Kennett, MO)
5:00pm – Head back to Dyersburg for dinner (35-minute drive)
5:40pm – 7:00pm – Dinner in Dyersburg at Moustos Pasta and Grill (5-minute drive to hotel) Address: Moustos Pasta and Grill Italian Restaurant, 1130 TN-3 Suite 5, Dyersburg, TN 38024
Day 5 – Friday, February 20, 2025
INDEPENDENT DEPARTURES FROM HAMPTON INN - DYERSBURG
6:00 – 10:00am – Breakfast buffet at HAMPTON INN - DYERSBURG
12:00pm – Check-out time at the hotel
Trip Leaders
Your trip leader for this event will be Executive Director Dr. Scot Duncan and Program Coordinator Andrew Lydeard. Please contact your leader by email at andrew@alaudubon.org with questions or comments regarding this event.
Accessibility
Please note that this is a self-driven, self-catered weekend event. This trip is designed with photographers and ‘slow birding’ in mind, so we can take in all the area has to offer! We plan to travel no more than two (2) miles total each day as a group on foot, often much less. Most of the birding will be done via car caravan or with only short distances traveled away from the vehicles. All vehicles will be provided with a walkie-talkie each day, so that we can all stay in touch and point out birds when caravanning.
Most of the terrain in this area is flat, but some of the travel may be on uneven surfaces that have obstacles such as roots, rocks, and other debris. Please do not hesitate to contact your leader if you require specific accessibility accommodations.
REMEMBER Dress for the weather! This area can be mild in winter like Alabama or the equivalent of winter near the Great Lakes. We recommend traveling with multiple extra layers and bringing a change of clothing in case the weather turns on us while we are in the field. Hot Hands or rechargeable handwarmers are helpful in this region as is the appropriate winter gear such as wool socks, hats, and gloves. As early spring rains can begin in this region at this time, we also recommend bringing rain gear to the field for yourself and your gear, including umbrellas, rain jackets & pants, and waterproof coverings for your birding equipment.
As always, remember to bring extra snacks, plenty of hydration, and sunscreen. Your leader will provide extra water and electrolytes each day.
Please continue supporting Alabama Audubon as a member or donor to help us continue to offer accessible, educational programs and events across Alabama and beyond. Your generosity enables us to advance research, education, and advocacy efforts to protect birds in Alabama and wherever they may fly!
