Because the state of Kentucky has some of the greatest natural diversity in the southeast, it also offers magnificent opportunities to view many songbirds, shorebirds, raptors, game birds and owls in their native habitat. Kentucky is unique because many of the neotropical migrant birds nest here in the summer and many of the northern nesting birds, such as dark-eyed juncos, pine siskins, and evening grosbeaks spend their winters here.

The Daniel Boone National Forest offers birders wonderful opportunities to see most of the birds that nest or winter in Kentucky. Birders from all over the state visit the Daniel Boone National Forest every year to add new species to their "life lists" or just to enjoy seeing some of the less common birds, such as the cerulean warbler, in areas where they are plentiful. If you are planning to visit the Forest and are interested in finding some good bird watching spots, below are a few "hot spots" you may want to check out:

Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake: Both Cave Run Lake and Laurel River Lake offer good opportunities to observe waterfowl. In the summer, expect to see lots of Giant Canada geese, along with tree swallows, and a possible bald eagle, osprey or double-crested cormorant. In the winter, often several birds including common loons, pied-billed grebes, American coots, hooded mergansers, and ring-billed or herring gulls spend their winters on the lakes. Cave Run Lake is on the Morehead District and Laurel River Lake is on the London District.

Ano Strip Mines: Located on the Somerset District, the Ano Strip Mines consist of many acres of tall grass habitat. Species commonly observed on the strip mines include northern harrier, dicksissel, horned lark, and many sparrows such as song sparrow, field sparrow, fox sparrow, and grasshopper sparrow. Be sure to check out the old strip ponds, too, to look for waterfowl and shorebirds along their edges.

Morehead District Wetlands: The Morehead District has been restoring bottomland wetlands that offer ideal habitat for snag dependent species, edge species and birds that require standing water. Species to look for include tree swallows, prothonotary warbler, wood duck, several woodpeckers, sandpipers, and green and great blue herons.

Red River Gorge: Located on the Stanton District, the Red River Gorge offers some unique deep sandstone gorge habitat that supports the state's only known breeding site for red-breasted nuthatches. The Gorge also includes the Clifty Wilderness Area where swainson's warblers, Louisiana waterthrush, Acadian flycatcher, and American redstarts are abundant.

Jellico Mountains: Located in the southeastern corner of the Stearns District, the Jellico Mountains offer large areas of upland hardwood forest combined with elevations over 2000 feet. This is one of the best areas to look for forest-interior birds such as cerulean warbler, scarlet tanager, American redstart and worm-eating warbler. Recent timber harvest areas have also been known to support chestnut-sided warblers in the summer, as well as more common species such as hooded warbler, prairie warbler, white-eyed vireo, and yellow-breasted chat.