Lake Barkley Naturalist and Recreation Blog

Everyday seems to reveal another blooming wildflower, budding tree, and singing bird. This week Redbuds and Bittersweet are blooming providing purple and white color to the forest under story.

Wildflowers seen blooming this week include: Spring Beauty, Pussytoes, False Rue Anemone, Cut-leaf Toothwort, Violets (both purple and yellow), and one small patch of Violet Wood Sorel just about to open.

The birds at Lake Barkley have definitely been singing. Some to note include Pine warblers, phoebes, towhees, bluebirds, and woodpeckers. American White Pelicans still remain on Lake Barkley and our resident Bald Eagles have been seen teaching their young to fly this week.

Other exciting nature notes include a Chorus frogs calling at the crossroads of the park, the first fence lizard of the season, and basking painted turtles.
The spring season is just a few days old but is starting to show its colors and calls.

The water has receded enough to reopen Lake Barkley’s trail system. The only trail that remains closed is a section of the wilderness trail from the campground to the water tower. We will keep you updated on its status. The water level is still high, so use caution on the shoreline walk and prepare for some muddy areas on Blue Springs. Don’t forget that maps of the trails can be downloaded off the website. Happy Hiking.

Due to high water on the trails, the Lena Madison and Blue Springs Trail are closed until further notice.

Tickets are still available for Lake Barkley State Resort Park's Dinner Theatre featuring Bil Lepp. Bil Lepp is an award winning storyteller, comedian, and winner of West Virginia's Biggest Liar Contest. Included with the show is an all you can eat buffet featuring stuffed chicken breat, roast beef, assorted vegetables, desert and more! Tickets are $40/person. Show time 7p.m. - 9p.m.

Call Mary 270-924-1131 for reservations!

In between the rains this weekend, a short forest stroll revealed blooming Cut-Leaf Toothwort. A common flower in the moist woods of Kentucky, the leaves occur in whorls of three with white – pink flowers at the top of the plant. This plant is also an early nectar plant for native insects.

Don't forget about Warblers & Wildflowers Weekend April 16-17, which will include guided wildflower hikes. Registration forms can be found on Lake Barkley's home page or contact mary.schmidt@ky.gov , 1-800-325-1708 for more details.