Northwestern Minnesota’s Diverse Beauty...

Trumpeter Swans

Pine forests merge with deciduous woodlands and grasslands. Rolling hills embrace glacial etched lakes. Streams and rivers thread their way throughout the landscape.

Located within two great river systems, the south-bound Mississippi River watershed and the north-bound Red River watershed, this land of woods and water is rest stop and home to many of Minnesota’s migrant and resident birds.

Year ‘round Birding
Birding within the Mississippi and Red River flyways can be done in any season!

SPRING MIGRATION:
With the return of Trumpeter Swans, Veery and Yellow-rumped Warblers, people in the northwest know spring has returned. Double-crested Cormorants and numerous duck species add to the invasion of spring visitors. Some birds stop over to rest on their longer journey north, including the White Pelican and Horned Grebe.

Osprey

SUMMER NESTERS:
A wide array of birds nest within the area. American Woodcock, Eastern Kingbird, Evening Grosbeak and Orchard Oriole plus numerous other songbirds are found here.

Pine Grosbeak

FALL MIGRATION:
Blue-winged Teal, Scaup and Canvasback pass through on their return south. Horned Larks are numerous along roadways as are Snow Buntings late in the season.

WINTER SNOW BIRDS:
Winter brings northern visitorsâGreat Gray Owls, Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins as they cross the border for the season. Bohemian Waxwings make erratic visits to fruit trees, while nuthatches, woodpeckers and chickadees frequent home feeders. Northern Shrikes are rare discoveries as they patrol bird feeders.