Located in Fulton County in the most southwestern county of Kentucky, the Hickman Bottoms are a unique area that attracts waders, shorebirds, Mississippi Kites, Fish Crows, migrating passerines, Western Meadowlarks, and many vagrants such as Harris's Sparrow and Western Kingbird.  While there is always something to see in the area and water levels at many locations fluctuate, generally migration is the best time of the year for a visit.  If water is present, late summer can also be excellent as can winter.

    When driving to the Hickman bottoms, if time allows, there are a couple of wet spots north of KY 94 that may contain shorebirds and waders.  These are usually worth the stop if time permits.  Also, just north of Hickman, is the Bayou du Chien that may be good for shorebirds if water levels are good.  It is worth checking if time allows.

    Hickman is the location of the oldest known colony of Eurasian Collared-Doves in the State.  Most doves are located near the river just south of the business district near the grain facilities and the houses just to their north.  This requires taking Business 94 into town for a short diversion.

The Levee From Hickman to Island #8 Slough and Fish Pond: The levee is topped by a gravel road that can be a pleasant and rewarding drive, especially in the spring with water levels are at their highest.  There is generally woodland on the west/north side of the levee and farm land with some pot holes that may attract shorebirds and waders on the left side of the road.  An alternate route is to take KY 94 west from Hickman to Sycamore Road, turn right and join the levee at Island #8.

Fish Pond and Island #8 Slough: Fish pond is a permanent body of water surrounded by trees.  As such, it is of little interest.  In spring, it often expands into an extensive pool/mudflat into the adjacent fields near the junction of the levee and Sycamore Road.  Viewing from the Levee is fine.  One is likely to see waders, shorebirds, and waterfowl as well as here Fish Crows and see Mississippi Kites overhead.  Almost within sight of Fish Pond, is Island #8 Sough.  Formerly and island, it is now reduced to a temporary repository of water during the wet season.  The birds of the slough are similar to the birds of Fish Pond.  A Black-necked Stilt was located here in 1993.

Levee Pump Station:  The levee pump station, is at an apparent former creek a that is blocked by the levee.  There is always a pool of water on the river side and sometimes a pool on the farm side as well.  Birds are similar to above except that Least Tern is often seen on the river side.

Levee Between Pump Station and Lake #9:  Continuing to drive south on the levee will take you by the potential for numerous small potholes that may attract waders and/or shorebirds.  You may also leave the levee and drive the farm roads below if you prefer.

Lake #9:  Depending on water level, Lake # 9 may be fantastic or a soy bean field.  The lake itself is former Mississippi River bad and the land you are driving on is formerly Island #9 of the Mississippi River.  The south end of the lake is best.  You will need to descend the levee onto Sutton Road below the levee.  As you approach the Tennessee line, you will begin to see water and trees on the left.  Though the on private land, you will see a farm implement road the birders have generally been allowed to use to walk to the lake if necessary.  Occasionally, the lake is so large that viewing from the levee is possible and most appropriate.  When conditions are right, a huge number of waders and shorebirds may be present as will Cormorants.  Roseate Spoonbill and Tri-colored Heron have been located here as well as a reliable report of Mottled Duck that was not presented to the KBRC.

Rarely, the lake actually extends to the Tennessee Line, but most commonly, there is another slough just north of the Tennessee Line.  The Tennessee line is normally marked by birders as a Tree line that will obviously run east/west through this slough.

Open Pond:  Open pond is a transient body of water that sometimes forms between Island #8 Slough and Lake # 9.  It is slightly more inland from the levee than the other bodies of water.  To reach Open Pond, take KY 94 from Hickman to Sassafras Ridge.  Make a right and in immediate left onto KY 971.  Follow this road until it makes it second 90 degree turn to the left.  Open Pond will be on your right.  If water is present, shorebirds and waders should be present.  Unless you have permission to trespass, it is best to bird this location from the shoulder of the road.  Black-necked Stilts have nested here on 2 occasions when conditions were right.

Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, Long Point Unit:  This is only a small part of the total refuge and it is not entirely in Kentucky.  The Kentucky portion is reached by following KY 94 south towards TN.  Turn left on KY 1282.  Immediately on your left (south) will be the Refuge.  There is a gravel loop with 2 entrances, the first of which is closed in waterfowl season.  Pass this entrance and continue to the second gravel road on the right.  Turn here and follow back into the refuge.  The grassy/water fields on the right have produced LeConte's Sparrow and occasional rails as well as shorebirds and waterfowl.  Continue until the road is blocked at an observation tower.  From the tower, you may observe thousands of geese in the winter.  Canadas, Snows, Lesser White-fronteds are often present and occasionally there will be a Ross's.  Puddle ducks on many species may also be present, though finding them in the Mallards may be difficult.

In spring, the gate will be open and the field contains less water.  It is often covered by shorebirds.  Bald Eagles are commonly seen from the observation tower as well.

Finding Western Meadowlarks:  Locating Western Meadowlarks in winter is a hit or miss proposition.  For best results, drive the roads between Sassafras Ridge south to the State Line Road.  Drive slowly with the windows down listening for the "gurgle" of the bird's song and watching for especially pale meadowlarks.  Most authorities regard only the song as truly diagnostic of this species.  It is found in very low numbers nearly every winter somewhere in this general area.  Some have said that it has a preference for corn stubble.

                                                                                                                                            -- Mark Bennett