FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] how to find Musick's Campground

["Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Musick Campground, Holston Lake
Copyright 1995 by James Brooks 
DeLorme coordinates: p. 70, D-1 
 Sullivan County, TN, and Washington County, VA One of the best-kept secrets in 
birding, this site not only has excellent water birding with a high percentage 
or rarities, but it offers you the chance to record a bird in both Tennessee 
and Virginia. Rarities seen here include Great White Heron (Ardea herodius, 
white morph) in two separate years, Laughing Gull, Ruddy Turnstone, and in the 
fall of 1995 a flock of Eared Grebes. 

 Follow U.S. 421 out of Bristol, TN, passing the turnoff for Holston Lake Dam, 
then turn north (left) onto S.R. 44. Take the first right after crossing the 
Virginia State Line, which takes you back into Tennessee. When the road makes a 
square turn to the right, go straight into Musick's Campground. The Musicks are 
members of the Bristol Bird Club, so be sure to say "Howdy," if they are 
outside (they live in the campground year 'round). Continue straight (and 
slowly) until you are out on a point. [Editorial Note:   Mae Musick is the 
owner and operator of the campground.  Her husband, James, has passed away 
since this was prepared nine years ago].

To your left, Painter Creek flows into Holston Lake. Much of Painter Creek is 
in Virginia, the state line running diagonally from the point on the far side, 
to just inside the point on the near side. Almost everything you see in the 
water from this vantage is in Tennessee. 

 On leaving the campground, turn left onto the road, and in less than a half 
mile there is a new gravel road leading to a boat ramp, providing you with 
another overlook of the lake. 

 Retrace your steps to S.R. 44 and turn right, followed by two right turns on 
the next available paved roads. This will lead you back to an overlook of 
Painter Creek from the Virginia side. The road ends at a boat ramp, that also 
overlooks Virginia waters. 

 Fall, winter and early spring are the best birding seasons here. Come late 
spring the campers and the Jet Skis and speeding boats will send the birds 
heading for somewhere else. You'll probably want to join them. 



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