Thanks to social media influencers like Bonner Black, birding has become the hot girl hobby of 2025. And honestly, we love that. People are rediscovering the simple joy of getting outside and paying attention to the natural world. Birding fits that perfectly, and winter in Henderson happens to be one of the best times to do it.
Why Henderson?
Henderson sits along a central Mississippi Flyway, and each winter our sloughs, wetlands, and riverfront become a seasonal rest stop for tens of thousands of migrating waterfowl.
Where to Bird
Sloughs Wildlife Management Area
This is the top winter birding destination in Kentucky. The interior refuge areas are closed from November 1 through March 15 to protect staging waterfowl, but roadside pull-offs, towers, and observation decks are all open for viewing.
Mornings and late afternoons offer the most movement. Watch for Snow Geese, Greater White-fronted Geese, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Canvasback, and Bald Eagles. On the right day, you may even spot Tundra Swans resting among the flocks.
Audubon Wetlands Trail
For slow, close observation, head to the Audubon Wetlands. The elevated boardwalk brings you eye-level with dabbling ducks like Gadwall and Mallard, American Wigeon, and Hooded Mergansers.
Red-shouldered Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks work the edges. Bald Eagles make regular passes, and winter woodpeckers and kinglets stay active in the trees. The setting is quiet, photogenic, and ideal for anyone who enjoys taking their time.
Henderson Riverfront
When shallow wetlands freeze, the Ohio River becomes the gathering place. The riverfront offers a comfortable, accessible vantage point for scanning open water.
Ring-billed and Herring Gulls are reliable, and Lesser Black-backed Gulls are seen most winters. Look for Bufflehead, Goldeneye, scaup, and Red-breasted Mergansers. Bald Eagles often perch along the banks before soaring low across the channel.
Your Henderson Itinerary
To make the most of your winter birding expedition. We’ve laid out the perfect Henderson Itinerary for your trip!
We’ll see you on the flyway 😉
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