State of Minnesota

Common Loon Gavia immer ©Stephen O Muskie Website
Birding Minnesota

Birding in Minnesota is not for the faint-hearted, but for those who are willing to put up with some inconvenience, the rewards can be great. If you are not afraid of bone-numbing cold in the winter or black flies, mosquitoes, ticks, etc. in the warm weather, the birding is wonderful. Do dress in layers and equip your car properly for the cold. Carry a winter survival kit. This should include a cellular phone so that you are able to summon help if necessary. Keep in mind that temperatures along the shore of Lake Superior can be quite cool even in summer. Also keep in mind that several million people live in Minnesota throughout the year without succumbing to the cold. The process of natural selection weeds out those who choose to walk on thin ice or drive snowmobiles into poles while inebriated.

Although there are may be people who would differ with me, I will list a few of my favorite birding locations:

The area in and around Duluth is beautiful and always productive. Thirty miles north of Duluth, the Sax-Zim Bog is an area where many boreal species may be found throughout the year.Great-gray owls, Gray Jays, Boreal Chickadees and nesting Connecticut Warblers are highlights. During invasion years one can expect reports of Boreal Owls and Northern Hawk Owls as well. Most winters it is possible to find at least one Snowy Owl in the Duluth harbor area. This winter a Gyrfalcon has taken up residence along with a (lost) Gray-crowned Rosy Finch. Northern Shrikes, redpolls and winter finches are plentiful in this area as well. The vistas along the shore of Lake Superior are magnificent. There are many boreal species which rarely occur in the United States which are regularly seen here. In Duluth the roads are meticulously cleared of snow. Roads in the Sax-Zim Bog area as well as state highways are also well maintained. This is not necessarily true in more remote areas.

In the fall, Hawk Ridge in Duluth is a hot spot for sighting migrating raptors. It is possible to view the birds from very near the car, but the area is not paved. The terrain would be difficult, but not impossible for most wheelchairs, and, at least, one does not need to go more than a few feet from the car. There is a naturalist and official counter at the ridge. From time to time birds are brought from the nearby banding center, and educational talks are given. Owls are banded every evening in the fall, and raptors are banded during the day. Many passerines are banded here as well. Highlights at Hawk Ridge include: Bald and Golden Eagles, Northern Goshawks and Rough-legged Hawks. On a day with strong north-west winds, it is sometimes possible to see 20,000 to 30,000 birds in a day. Take a comfortable chair. Accessible rest-room facilities may be found in the fast-food restaurants along London Road, about 15 minutes from here.

The Gunflint Trail originates in Grand Marais, about 30 miles from the Canadian border, and it is well-paved road for a distance of some 50 miles. This is another prime birding location with many of the boreal species found in Duluth. Three-toed Woodpeckers and Black-backed Woodpeckers are regularly found here.

In the south-eastern part of Minnesota, the birding along the Mississippi River is very good, and there are many places where birds may be viewed from the car. This is also a very beautiful drive. The birding locations here are far too numerous to list here.

For those who are flying into the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul); there are numerous locations in the metropolitan area where birds may be found. The Carpenter Nature Center in Hastings has wheel-chair accessible trails. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge has its headquarters only five minutes from the airport. You may borrow a wheelchair to view the area around the headquarters building. In Dakota County, migrating shorebirds may been seen at the sod farms, the many miles of farm roads are full of birds, and there are some very productive marshes. The Murphy-Hanrehan and Carlos Avery refuges may be birded from the car. In the winter you will find many species of waterfowl at the Blue Lake Sewage Treatment ponds in Scott County. (Keep in mind that there are very few places in Minnesota with open water during the winter. Waterfowl, eagles, etc. will be concentrated in those areas.) I do not recommend the Black Dog Lake area to birders with disabilities, even though it is one such place. The only way to get to the open water is to walk over very difficult ground in winter. In any other season, Black Dog Road is well worth the ride, as many birds may be seen along the road.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service publishes a pamphlet which lists the features of each of the National Wildlife Refuges. Many of these have driving tour routes, and these should all be of interest to birders with disabilities. Several of these are located in Minnesota. In addition, most of Minnesota’s State Parks have paved roads into areas where birds are plentiful. All of these locations have accessible rest-room facilities as well.

I would encourage anyone who is planning a visit to Minnesota to purchase a copy of Kim Eckert’s comprehensive book, A Birder’s Guide to Minnesota. I cannot begin to do justice to all of the birding locations in Minnesota, but this volume will serve you well. There is also a wealth of information on the website of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union. A post to one of the birding listservs in Minnesota will almost certainly find you a guide if you should wish to hire one.

This introduction was written in the Winter of 2000-2001

Top Sites
  • Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail Map

    PDF Trail Map
    The 200-mile trail in Minnesota offers unique changes in biomes found nowhere else in the continental United States.
  • The Iron Trail

    The Iron Trail is located in Northeastern Minnesota - it now has a new bird & wildlife watching brochure. For your free brochure, e-mail them with your name & address. You can also contact them on 800-777-8497 or itcvb@cpinternet.com
Contributors
  • Sue Levy

    Upper Texas Coast [former resident of Minnesota] | Slevy53@aol.com

Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 421

    (As at October 2018)

    State Bird - Common Loon Gavia immer

Checklist
  • iGoTerra Checklist

    iGoTerra Checklist
    Fatbirder Associate iGoTerra offers the most comprehensive and up to date birds lists on the web
Useful Reading

  • A Birder's Guide to Minnesota

    | By Kim R Eckert | Gavian Guides | 2002 | Edition 4 | Spiralbound | 258 pages, B/w illustrations, maps | ISBN: 9780971990203 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • A Manual for the Identification of the Birds of Minnesota and Neighboring States

    | By Thomas S Roberts | University of Minnesota Press | 1932 | Paperback | 296 pages, 123 illustrations | ISBN: 9780816601172 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • ABA Field Guide to Birds of Minnesota

    | By Laura Erickson & Brian E Small | Scott & Nix, Inc | 2016 | Paperback | 400 pages, colour photos | ISBN: 9781935622598 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birding Minnesota

    | By Jay Michael Strangis | Falcon Press | 1996 | Paperback | 250 pages, B&W Phots, Maps | ISBN: 9781560444251 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds in Minnesota

    | By Robert B Janssen | University of Minnesota Press | 2020 | Edition 2 | Paperback | 375 pages, Maps | ISBN: 9781517907013 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds of Minnesota Field Guide

    | By Stan Tekiela | Adventure Publications | 2019 | Edition 3 | Paperback | 328 pages, colour photos, colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9781591938972 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds of Minnesota State Parks

    | By Robert B Janssen & Carrol L Henderson | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | 2015 | Paperback | 222 pages, colour photos, colour maps | ISBN: 9780975433881 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds of Minnesota and Wisconsin

    | By Bob Janssen, Daryl Tessen & Gregory Kennedy | Lone Pine Publishing | 2003 | Paperback | 376 pages, illustrations, map | ISBN: 9781551053240 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Birds of Voyageurs National Park

    | (A Guide to the Minnesota-Ontario Border Country) | Voyageurs Regional National Park Association | 2001 | Paperback | 126 pages, colour photos | ISBN: 9780816638994 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Festivals & Bird Fairs
  • Festival of Birds in Detroit Lakes

    Webpage
    The 22nd annual Festival of Birds will be held May 15-18, 2019 featuring humorist and story teller Al Batt, Carrol Henderson's recounting of the Peregrine Falcon restoration and Lyanda Haupt reveals the connections between humans and the wild, natural world through her latest book Mozart's Starling. Back for the second year, the Thursday evening social with birding by pontoon on Detroit Lake. See the 2019 program with schedule of events and register online.
Observatories
  • Hawk Ride Bird Observatory

    Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
    The mission of the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory is to protect birds of prey and other migratory birds in the Western Lake Superior Region through research, education, and stewardship. Hawk Ridge is now known as one of the major sites for observation of raptor migration. Visitors come from all over the world in the fall. Indeed, our guest register has entries from thousands of visitors who have come from all 50 states and from over 40 foreign countries.
Museums & Universities
  • Raptor Center of the University of Minnesota

    Webpage
    Established in 1974 as part of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, The Raptor Center rehabilitates around 1,000 sick and injured raptors each year, while helping to identify emerging environmental issues related to raptor health and populations.
Organisations
  • Agassiz Audubon Society

    Website
    Passion is good for you. Studies show following your passion can lead to a longer, healthier and more fulfilling life. Put your passion for nature to work - join us!
  • Albert Lea Audubon Society

    Website
    We have been an official chapter of the National Audubon Society since 1948. Our goal is to educate people, young and old, about the wonders of nature. Most folks connect Audubon to birds and that’s fine. But, we are so much more! Birds need clean air and water, and a favorable habitat to survive, just like us. In working to provide good habitat for birds, we will inevitably improve our own “habitat”.
  • Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis

    Website
    The mission of the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis is to inform and educate our members and the public about birds and other wildlife and the demands that a large metropolitan area puts on their habitat; to engage in advocacy to preserve; to protect and improve existing habitat; and to develop and maintain new bird and wildlife sanctuaries, including backyards, to enhance the human experience.
  • Audubon Minnesota

    Website
    Audubon Minnesota believes that what is good for birds is good for people, too, including healthy habitats, clean water, and clean air. We deliver conservation results by focusing on programs supported by science, education, and advocacy.
  • Audubon Society in Minnesota

    Webpage
    Offices & Chapters; Centers & Sanctuaries & Upcoming Events
  • Brainerd Lakes Area Audubon Society

    Facebook Page
    As an independent chapter of the National Audubon Society, BLAAS will foster and advocate for the conservation and restoration of bird populations and other wildlife and their habitat, encourage grassroots action on conservation issues, and develop and implement educational programs, all with a special emphasis on the aquatic resources of the great Brainerd Lakes Area…
  • Central Minnesota Audubon Society

    Website
    The Central Minnesota Audubon Society (CMAS) is a chapter of the National Audubon Society. CMAS was founded in 1980 and has over 450 members.
  • Coulee Region Audubon Society

    Website
    The Audubon Society's local chapter in N.E. Iowa, S.E. Minnesota and S.W. Wisconsin provides environmental and wildlife field trips free of charge…
  • Duluth Audubon Society

    Website
    Our mission is to promote education, conservation, and research focused on birds and to preserve and enhance the ecological diversity of the greater Duluth area.
  • Fargo-Moorhead Audubon Society

    Information
    The chapter meets at the Moorhead Public Library one Thursday evening each month from October through April. The agenda often includes a featured speaker, photo sharing, and announcements of various sorts; it is free and open to the public. During the summer months the chapter sponsors a field trip to local and regional birding destinations in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.
  • Friends of Sax-Zim Bog

    Website
    Protecting the SAX-ZIM BOG for future generations of birds & birders.
  • Mankato Bird Club

    Website
    The Mankato Bird Club is an organization of interested birders from south central Minnesota, primarily in the Mankato area. We hold meetings and sponsor field trips every month. Our field trips are great for both experienced birdwatchers and those new to the hobby. Attending field trips is a great way to get to know other birders and become familiar with the birds in the Mankato area.
  • Minneapolis Audubon Chapter

    Website
    The Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis is Minnesota's oldest and largest Audubon chapter. Our field trips and programs are free and open to the public. The mission of the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis is to inform and educate our members and the public about birds and other wildlife and the demands that a large metropolitan area puts on their habitat; to engage in advocacy to preserve; to protect and improve existing habitat; and to develop and maintain new bird and wildlife sanctuaries, including backyards, to enhance the human experience.
  • Minnesota Bird Records Committee

    Website
    An RQD enables birders to document unusual records for possible inclusion in the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union permanent file. Your submitted form will be evaluated by our Records Committee. If the record is significant, submitted details may be published in a future issue of our journal, The Loon
  • Minnesota Ornithologists Union

    Website
    The Minnesota Ornithologists Union is an organisation of both professionals and amateurs interested in birds. We foster the study of birds. We aim to create and increase public interest in birds. And we promote the preservation of bird life and its natural habitat. To carry out these aims, we publish a journal, The Loon, and a newsletter, Minnesota Birding…
  • Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter

    Facebook Page
    The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) of the National Audubon Society was first organized on March 2, 1967. Our membership area spans the Minnesota River valley from Bloomington to Henderson, just to the south and west of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
  • Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society

    Website
    The Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society's mission is to foster personal connections to and stewardship of our natural world.
  • Nature Conservancy in Minnesota

    Website
    The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. For 60 years, we’ve been working in Minnesota to do just that. TNC owns and manages approximately 60,000 acres in Minnesota including more than 50 preserves that are open to the public.
  • Prairie Lakes Audubon Chapter

    Facebook Page
    Representing the National Audubon Society in West Central Minnesota. The Prairie Lakes Audubon Chapter is the local Chapter of National Audubon Society for anyone interested in birds, nature, and conservation within a 50 mile radius (flexible) of Alexandria, Minnesota. We have casual meetings monthly, with topics and knowledgeable speakers changing monthly. We also take at least one birding field trip each month. Please come and support the Chapter and get to meet fellow conservationist, birders and nature lovers.
  • Saint Paul Audubon

    Website
    The Saint Paul Audubon Society is an all-volunteer non-profit organization founded more than 50 years ago. We are affiliated with the National Audubon Society. We work to preserve and protect the natural environment. We care about birds and other animals, including humans. All of our meetings and events are open to the public, and (except for multi-day tours and birdwatching classes) are free of charge. If you share our love for the beauty and wonder of nature, you are invited to take part in our events. And if you are concerned about the future of the natural world, please join us to help to make the world a better place for all creatures…
  • Upper Hiawatha Valley Audubon Society

    Website
    We meet the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 P.M. at the Red Wing Conservation and Izaak Walton Chapter 16 club house: 1010 East 5th st. Red Wing, Mn.
  • Wild River Audubon Society

    Website
    Wild River Audubon Society is a local chapter of Minnesota Audubon and National Audubon Society. Our membership area includes Chisago, Isanti, Northern Washington, and Southern Pine Counties.
  • Zumbro Valley Audubon Society

    Website
    What can we say, we're a group of people who are interested in nature - all of it. Some of us are professionals - most of us aren't. We share a common drive to see, learn and wonder about why things are the way they are. We've also discovered that we learn more - and have a lot of more fun - together. If you're curious - you'll fit right in!
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • BS Wetlands, Pines and Prairie Audubon Sanctuary

    WebsiteSatellite View
    An Environmental Education Center Located in Northwestern Minnesota. Operated by Agassiz Audubon Society. The Sanctuary consists of 800 acres of wildlife habitat. Its diverse landscape includes a blend of tree plantings, trails, observation overlooks, and wetlands and waterways. Part of an erosion-prone sand ridge (an ancient beach from glacial Lake Agassiz) has been planted to trees and shrubs. Native prairies have been restored and have effectively displaced weeds on retired farm fields…
  • IBAs - Minnesota

    WebpageSatellite View
    Important Bird Areas (IBAs) provide essential habitat for one or more breeding, wintering, and/or migrating bird species. The IBA program is designed to be proactive, voluntary, participatory, science-based and works to identify, monitor and conserve the most essential habitats for birds. Read more about how we determine Minnesota's IBAs and how we use them to prioritize our work.
  • NC North Woods Audubon Center

    Facebook PageSatellite View
    The Audubon Center of the North Woods is a private, non-profit residential environmental learning center (RELC), a wildlife rehabilitation facility, and conference & retreat center nestled on the shores of Grindstone Lake near Sandstone, MN in east-central Minnesota. Our diverse 535-acre sanctuary includes a variety of habitats, including old-growth red and white pines, hardwood forests, restored wetlands and prairies
  • NC River Bend Nature Centre

    WebsiteSatellite View
    River Bend Nature Centre is an 80-acre private nature centre in Racine. The grounds feature mainly floodplain forest and some upland forest, complemented by about four miles of mulched trails and boardwalks. The trails also include a bird blind and a hexagonal pavilion with a hearth.
  • NC Springbrook Nature Center

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Springbrook Nature Center. A wonderful way to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Welcome to the Springbrook Nature Center web site. Our web site is updated weekly -visit us often!
  • NP Voyageurs

    WebpageSatellite View
    Voyageurs National Park, on the Minnesota-Ontario border, is beloved by campers, canoeists, kayakers, hikers, and especially, bird-watchers. Its solitude offers a relatively undisturbed habitat, and its unusually varied ecosystem-the open water of large lakes, wetlands, and upland forests-provides a unique home for its bird population. Indeed, Voyageurs encompasses some of the greatest diversity of bird life in North America with over one hundred species known to breed within the park and even more nonbreeding visitors… [It can only navigated by hiking and canoe]
  • NWR Minnesota Valley

    WebpageSatellite View
    Birdwatchers will want to take advantage of the myriad wildlife viewing opportunities at any of the numerous units of the Refuge…
  • NWR Rydell

    WebpageSatellite View
    Here at the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Minnesota, we have a very accessible trail system and facilities. We have 5 miles of paved trails with a very shallow grade, as well as a fishing pier that is wheelchair accessible…
  • Three Rivers Park District

    WebsiteSatellite View
    At the Park District's three nature centers and select visitor centers, visitors can explore nature trails, join naturalist-led programs, view animals indoors and outside, discover interactive exhibits and check out self-guided adventures…
Sightings, News & Forums
  • MOU-NET

    Mailing List
    Mailing List – Discussion Group - MOU-Net is an electronic mailing list made available to all persons interested in the birds of Minnesota. It is a place where birders can share their notable sightings with other interested people. MOU-Net is not meant to be a mailing list for posting every sighting; rather, look here for posts of observations that contribute to the understanding of the birds in the state. This includes sightings of birds that are unusual, in an unusual location or out of season, or present in significantly higher numbers than normally expected. To subscribe to this list, send the following e-mail message: (leave blank, or fill with blank spaces) Text: subscribe MOU-Net To unsubscribe, simply change text to unsubscribe MOU-Net. It is important that you include the name of the mailing list (MOU-Net) after "subscribe"; otherwise the software won`t know to which list you are subscribing.
  • Minnesota Birding News

    Website
    A free service without advertisements from me that automatically provides updates to the user from the top Minnesota and American birding web sites and organizations.
Guides & Tour Operators
  • Bird Treks

    Tour Operator
    Bird Treks has been providing small group and custom birding tours for over 20 years. Visit their website to see the incredible tours available, including Sax Zim Bog for Great Gray Owl! Guaranteed Departure for January 2019!
  • Birding Ecotours

    Tour Operator
    Birding Ecotours, a leader in small group and custom-made birding adventures worldwide, offers an amazing tour to northern Minnesota in January to seek out boreal species such as Pine Grosbeak, Black-backed Woodpecker, and Great Gray Owl! Guaranteed Departure for January 2019!
  • MN Backyard Birds - Guide - Judd Brink

    Guide
    Welcome to MN Bird Guide. Judd Brink has been guiding for several years in central Minnesota. Our service provides guiding for birders and wildlife photographers to some of the best locations in the state. Many of our trips visit the boreal forests found in Aitkin County and the famous Sax-Zim Bog! What birds are on your bucket list to see or photograph or would be a life bird for you? Some of the birds requested by our clients include; Great-gray Owl, Boreal Chickadee, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Common Loon, Northern-hawk Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker and Connecticut Warbler. Please contact Judd Brink at (218) 838-4784 or email info@mnbirdguide.com to help plan your next birding trip. Happy Birding!
  • Minnesota Birding Weekends

    Website
    Minnesota Birding Weekends & Weeks (MBW), as it begins its 32nd season, continues to offer unique, modestly priced birding trips in association with the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union (we originated back in 1986 as MOU Birding Weekends). After 31 years, we have now had a total of 389 MBWeekends, more than 8,600 registrations, and a composite list of 363 species seen within the state – and note that our modest MBWeekend fees are even lower than last season!
Trip Reports
  • 2018 [02 February] - Brian Gibbons

    Report
    Meeting our first afternoon in Duluth, we had no idea it would be the warmest temperature of thetrip, a toasty 11° F. The next morning we would be shivering at -18° with a Black-backedWoodpecker in our sights. The remote Superior National Forest in Lake County would chill usmost deeply at -27°; who knows what the windchill was! But it was all well worth it. With agood owl year and a few others, we had an excellent trip through the North Woods with amazingscenery, great food, and some wonderful birds.
  • 2020 [01 January] - Birding Ecotours - Jacob Roalef

    PDF Report
    Minnesota in January is the picture-perfect winter wonderland with snow piled high, ice covering every lake (including some of Lake Superior), and evergreen trees surrounding you. On this tour four amazing clients (Judy, Michael, Karen, and Diane) and I spent time birding at Duluth, Grand Marais, the Gunflint Trail, Lake Superior, and of course the amazing Sax-Zim Bog. The weather was pleasant with rather mild temperatures (for Minnesota winter standards) and no major snowstorms. Unfortunately the seed crop further north had had a fantastic year, so finches were difficult to come by, but we managed to find a few!
  • 2021 [09 September] - Dave mehlman

    PDF Report
    ...We arrived before sunrise, driving slowly north as the first hints of light appeared on the east horizon. Within minutes we saw the outline of a large bird sitting on top of a spruce. We stopped, hoping the bird would stay put, and were rewarded when it flew to a utility pole even closer to the road – it was a Great Gray Owl! We observed the bird for several minutes, watching it fly across the road as a train passed between us. Much to our surprise, we then noticed a second Great Gray Owl further off the road. It was before 6:30 in the morning and the day was already a success with a life bird for most in the group...
  • 2022 [01 January] - Jacob Roalef

    PDF Report
    This six-day set departure tour of Minnesota commenced in Duluth, Minnesota on the 13th of January 2022 and concluded back there on the 18th of January 2022. One tour participant arrived early enough on the 12th of January to squeeze in a little pre-trip birding around Lake Superior. The tour visited several fantastic birding locations including Sax-Zim Bog, Canal Park, Park Point, Superior National Forest, and the Grand Marais Harbor...
  • 2022 [06 June] - Ian Merrill

    PDF Report
    Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming
  • 2023 [01 January] - Jacob Roalef

    Report
    Avian highlights included Great Grey and Snowy Owls, Northern Hawk-Owl, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpoll, Iceland and Glaucous Gulls, Canada Jay, Spruce Grouse, Great Grey Shrike, Bald Eagle, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Black-billed Magpie, and Bohemian Waxwing. In addition to these great species, we noted two rarities for the region, namely Trumpeter Swan and Townsend’s Solitaire.
  • 2024 [01 January] - Lucas Corneliussen

    PDF Report
    Fortunately, this tour was able to locate several of the amazing target birds, yielding a list of very high-quality species despite the low numbers in the region. Avian highlights included Great Grey Owl, Northern Hawk-Owl, Barred Owl, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpoll, Glaucous Gull, Long-tailed Duck, Canada Jay, Ruffed Grouse, Black-billed Magpie, Pileated Woodpecker, Red Crossbill, Snow Bunting, and a breathtaking experience with Bohemian Waxwing and Townsend’s Solitaire. A total of 49 bird species were recorded, along with a few great mammals, including Canada Lynx, Red Squirrel, and White-tailed Deer
Places to Stay
  • Golden Eagle Lodge

    Accommodation
    Welcome to Golden Eagle Lodge. We've been a family run business for over 20 years. In that time, we have come to know many wonderful people from around the country who have chosen us as their wilderness retreat destination. We are exceptionally pleased with the number of repeat customers we enjoy visiting with year after year.
Other Links
  • Minnesota Birding Weekends

    Website
    Now in its 33rd season, Minnesota Birding Weeks & Weekends (MBW) offers unique, modestly priced birding Weekends in association with the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union (MBWeekends originated in 1986 as MOU Birding Weekends). We have now had more than 8,900 MBW registrations (MBWeeks included), a total of over 400 MBWeekends since 1986, and a composite list of 363 species we've seen in Minnesota.
  • National Eagle Center - Wabasha

    Website
    Family-friendly admission fees to our new 14,000 square-foot facility make us accessible to all. We have four resident education eagles that live in our facility, which is located on one thousand feet of Mississippi river shoreline in Wabasha, Minnesota
  • Pine To Prairie Birding Trail

    Website
    Welcome to Northwestern Minnesota where a unique collection of habitats provide homes for a tremendous variety of birds. Pine forests, deciduous woodlands, native tallgrass prairie, aspen parkland, sand dunes (remnants of Glacial Lake Agassiz); calcareous fens, bogs, marshes, large and small lakes and rivers make up the transition zone that offers over 275 species of birds. Most of the sites are on public land or private reserves open to the public. There are not facilities at all sites.
  • The Most Popular Birding Areas in Olmsted County, MN

    Website
    We've analyzed all of the Ebird data from 2015 and determined which birding hotspots in Olmsted County, MN had the most bird sightings.
Blogs
  • Sharon Stiteler - BirdChick

    BLOG
    If you’re new to my blog, welcome and thank you for visiting. I use this space as an experiment for my writing, photography (with digiscoping), videos and our podcast.
  • A Boy Who Cried Heron

    BLOG
    Over the last couple years whenever my wife or I spotted a pretty bird out the window, like a cardinal or an oriole, we always reacted excitedly and pointed it out to our son, Evan, who is now 6. While our enthusiasm faded over time, his never did. When gold finches would cover the thistle feeder day after day, they just became part of the background. Not to Evan. Each day he saw one was like the very first time – sheer excitement. As loving parents we would try our best to sound sincere and say, “Wow, would you look at that!” It was fake at worst and half-hearted at best.
  • Al Batt

    BLOG
    Al Batt of Hartland, Minnesota is a writer, speaker, storyteller and humorist. Al writes humor and nature columns for many newspapers and does regular radio shows about nature. He writes a number of popular cartoon strips that are syndicated nationally and is author of the book, "A Life Gone to the Birds." He is a columnist for "Bird Watcher’s Digest" and writes for a number of magazines and books. He is a trustee of the American Bald Eagle Foundation in Haines, Alaska.
  • CabinGirl

    BLOG
    Last updated January 2015 - Yes, I'm a Natural Sciences Geek. I read thru my Dad's entire Enc. Brit. set (in order of course) by the time I was 9. My favorite book when I was little was "Tell Me Why." (poor parents) Today I've combined my professional skills (PR) with my love of natural science as the PR Director for the Wildlife Rehab Center of Minn. I split my time between The Cities and living off the grid outside of Hovland, Minn. - just south of Canada with my very own Mountain Man, 2 large dogs and surrounded by nature. Life is good!
  • Dan Tallman’s Bird Blog

    BLOG
    Bird bander, photographer, retired biology professor.
  • Ecobirder

    BLOG
    Last updated April 2017 - The goal of Ecobirder is to use photographs, facts, and stories to entertain, educate, and inspire people about the natural world around us.
  • Ivars Krafts - Ivar's Birds

    BLOG
    Last updated 2014 - This blog describes the portion of my life devoted to birds and photography…
  • Laura Erickson - For The Birds

    BLOG
    LAURA ERICKSON, 2014 recipient of the American Birding Association’s prestigious Roger Tory Peterson Award, has been a scientist, teacher, writer, wildlife rehabilitator, professional blogger, public speaker, photographer, American Robin and Whooping Crane Expert for the popular Journey North educational website, and Science Editor at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
  • Laura Erickson - Twin Beaks

    BLOG
    Last update September 2017 - The first blog by birds for birds… although I suspect that Laura Erickson has a hand in it…
  • Lynne - Hasty Brook

    BLOG
    Last updated 2011 - Minnesota birding mostly at Lynne's little bit of heaven - hasty brook…
  • Penelope Hillemann - Penelopedia: Nature & Garden in Northfield, MN

    BLOG
    Last updated January 2017 - Penelopedia is about birdwatching and other encounters with wildlife … nature, weather and phenology … and local food, sustainable agriculture and gardening. Welcome…
  • Roger Everhart - Minnesota Birdnerd

    BLOG
    I'm just a guy interested in birds, ecology, environmental issues and a variety of other topics that make my life quite eclectic. You never know what might show up on this blog. I live in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota with my lovely wife and 3 great kids. To make ends meet, I teach high school science.
Photographers & Artists
  • Gallery - Latham Studios

    Gallery
    The images are available as limited edition prints. Please email us if you have any questions! Some very beautiful paintings.
  • Photographer - Mike Lentz Images

    Gallery
    Birds & Wildlife Images

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