Birding in Minnesota

Explore 137 birding hotspots across forest, wetland, grassland, urban park, lake, coastal, river/riparian, mountain habitats in Minnesota.

137

Locations

93+

Notable Species

8

Habitat Types

3

Peak Seasons

Complete Minnesota Birding Guide

Top locations, species, seasonal tips, and more

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Birding Locations in Minnesota

Great Gray Owl perched in snowy spruce forest at Sax-Zim Bog

Minnesota

Moderate

Sax-Zim Bog

Premier winter destination for boreal owl species in Minnesota's vast peatlands.

ForestWetlandWinter
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

140th Saint Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 233 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

180th Saint Marsh (Marshall's Marsh)

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 215 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Afton State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 233 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 269 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge - Headquarters Trail

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 222 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Agassiz Valley

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 231 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Albany WTP

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 221 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Baker Park Reserve

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 211 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Big Marine Park Reserve

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 213 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 226 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge - Auto Tour Road

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 241 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Black Rush Lake Waterfowl Production Area

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 219 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Blue Mounds State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 221 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Brighton Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in Minnesota with 222 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Buffalo River State Park

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Minnesota with 220 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Camden State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 236 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Carleton College Cowling Arboretum - Lower Arb

Forest birding hotspot in Minnesota with 218 recorded species.

ForestUrban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 237 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Carpenter Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 230 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Carver Park Reserve - Grimm Road Picnic/Rec. Area

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 239 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Carver Park Reserve - Lowry Nature Center

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 229 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Castle Danger WTP

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 208 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Chester Woods

Forest birding hotspot in Minnesota with 216 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Clifton French Regional Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 223 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

County 9 Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 211 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 215 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Crookston Sewage Lagoons

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 215 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Crosby Farm Regional Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 218 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Crow-Hassan Park Reserve

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 230 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Deep Portage Learning Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 205 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Duluth - 40th Ave West/Erie Pier

Coastal birding hotspot in Minnesota with 236 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

East Landfill Kalmar Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 226 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Elm Creek Park Reserve

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Minnesota with 208 recorded species.

River/RiparianUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Felton Prairie

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 244 recorded species.

GrasslandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Fish Lake Nature Trails

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 207 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Fort Snelling State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 212 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

French Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 213 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Frontenac State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 232 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Frontenac State Park - Sand Point

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 234 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Glendalough State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 214 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 206 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Grand Marais (town)

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 239 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Grey Cloud Dunes State Natural Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 235 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 218 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
brown rocky shore with green water

Minnesota

Challenging

Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve

Mountain birding hotspot in Minnesota with 254 recorded species.

MountainSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Hok-Si-La Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 210 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Hyland Lake Park Reserve

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 222 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Itasca State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 214 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Izaak Walton Wetlands

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 227 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Lac qui Parle State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 231 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Lake Bronson State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 212 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 227 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Lake Byllesby Regional Park - west end access

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 247 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
a river with a bridge over it

Minnesota

Easy

Lake Elmo Regional Park

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 230 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Lake Harriet

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 216 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Lake Hiawatha Park

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 210 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Lake Rebecca Park Reserve

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 213 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Lake Shetek State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 211 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Lake Waconia

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 218 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 206 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Lone Tree Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 204 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Maplewood Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 204 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Maplewood State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 210 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Miedd Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 237 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Forest birding hotspot in Minnesota with 214 recorded species.

ForestUrban ParkSpringFall
a flock of birds standing on top of a lush green field

Minnesota

Moderate

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Bass Ponds

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 265 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Headquarters

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 218 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Louisville Swamp

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 238 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Rapids Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 242 recorded species.

LakeWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Wilkie Unit

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 211 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Mississippi Gateway Regional Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 219 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Mississippi River Lock and Dam 2

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Minnesota with 214 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Moose Lake WTP

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 219 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve - Pet Trails

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 231 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Myre Big Island State Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Minnesota with 232 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

New Germany Area

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 202 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

North Ottawa Impoundment

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 222 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Oakdale Nature Preserve

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 201 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
brown tree with black round fruits

Minnesota

Moderate

Old Cedar Avenue Bridge

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 264 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Orwell Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 205 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Park Point - ball fields & beach house area

Coastal birding hotspot in Minnesota with 251 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Park Point - Dune Bridge near airport

Coastal birding hotspot in Minnesota with 258 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Park Point - Lafayette Square

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 216 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Park Point - Park Point Rec. Area

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 293 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Pelican Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 231 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Pine City WTP

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 215 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Powderhorn Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 200 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Purgatory Creek Wetlands

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Minnesota with 236 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Red Rock Rd

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 212 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Minnesota with 225 recorded species.

River/RiparianUrban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 230 recorded species.

LakeWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Rice Lake State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 228 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Ritter Farm Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 206 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Roseau River Wildlife Management Area

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Minnesota with 224 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Rothsay Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 217 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Rydell National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 212 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Saint Olaf College Natural Lands

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 205 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Saint Paul Downtown Airport

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 204 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Salt Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 217 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Sax-Zim Bog

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 234 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Shakopee Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 204 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Sham Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 228 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 245 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge - Blue Hill Trail

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 206 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Drive

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 255 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Silver Creek Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 227 recorded species.

LakeRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Slag Point (Morgan Park Mudflats)

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 223 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Southwest Minnesota State University

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 203 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Split Rock Creek State Park

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Minnesota with 211 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Spring Lake Park Reserve - Camp Spring Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 222 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Spring Lake Park Reserve - Schaar's Bluff

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 225 recorded species.

LakeUrban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

St John's Abbey Arboretum

Forest birding hotspot in Minnesota with 218 recorded species.

ForestUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Stoney Point

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 257 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Sucker Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 216 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Talcot Lake Wildlife Management Area

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 226 recorded species.

LakeWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 232 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Tamarack Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 216 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Theodore Wirth Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 215 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Tony Schmidt Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 223 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Two Harbors - Lighthouse Point

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 246 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

University of Minnesota - Saint Paul campus

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 205 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Upper Sioux Agency State Park (Permanently Closed)

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 206 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Vadnais Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 233 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
a field of crosses with american flags in the background

Minnesota

Easy

Veterans Memorial Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Minnesota with 213 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Waabizheshikana Trail (Western Waterfront Trail)

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 237 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Westwood Hills Nature Center

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 212 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

Forest birding hotspot in Minnesota with 218 recorded species.

ForestUrban ParkSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

Whitewater State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 209 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Whitewater Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 211 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Whitewater Wildlife Management Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 209 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Easy

William O'Brien State Park

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 212 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Willow Creek Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 216 recorded species.

LakeRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Grassland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

WLSSD

Grassland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 203 recorded species.

GrasslandWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Wolf Creek Wetland & Wildlife Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 200 recorded species.

WetlandRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Minnesota

Moderate

Wolf Lake Waterfowl Production Area

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 203 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
a wooden bridge over a river surrounded by trees

Minnesota

Easy

Wood Lake Nature Center

Lake birding hotspot in Minnesota with 234 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall

Notable Species

Key species found across birding locations in Minnesota:

Great Gray OwlNorthern Hawk OwlBoreal ChickadeeBlack-backed WoodpeckerSharp-tailed GrousePileated WoodpeckerCanada JayBlack-capped ChickadeeCommon RavenHairy WoodpeckerCanada GooseGreen-winged TealGreat Horned OwlAmerican RobinTrumpeter SwanRing-necked PheasantBlue JayHorned LarkEastern BluebirdBald Eagle

Habitats & Best Seasons

Habitat Types:

ForestWetlandGrasslandUrban ParkLakeCoastalRiver/RiparianMountain

Best Seasons:

SpringFallWinter

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots in Minnesota?
The top birding locations in Minnesota include Sax-Zim Bog, 140th Saint Marsh, 180th Saint Marsh (Marshall's Marsh), Afton State Park, Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge - Headquarters Trail, Agassiz Valley, Albany WTP, Baker Park Reserve, Big Marine Park Reserve, Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge - Auto Tour Road, Black Rush Lake Waterfowl Production Area, Blue Mounds State Park, Brighton Beach, Buffalo River State Park, Camden State Park, Carleton College Cowling Arboretum - Lower Arb, Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area, Carpenter Nature Center, Carver Park Reserve - Grimm Road Picnic/Rec. Area, Carver Park Reserve - Lowry Nature Center, Castle Danger WTP, Chester Woods, Clifton French Regional Park, County 9 Marsh, Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Crookston Sewage Lagoons, Crosby Farm Regional Park, Crow-Hassan Park Reserve, Deep Portage Learning Center, Duluth - 40th Ave West/Erie Pier, East Landfill Kalmar Reservoir, Elm Creek Park Reserve, Felton Prairie, Fish Lake Nature Trails, Fort Snelling State Park, French Lake, Frontenac State Park, Frontenac State Park - Sand Point, Glendalough State Park, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Grand Marais (town), Grey Cloud Dunes State Natural Area, Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, Hok-Si-La Park, Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Itasca State Park, Izaak Walton Wetlands, Lac qui Parle State Park, Lake Bronson State Park, Lake Byllesby Regional Park, Lake Byllesby Regional Park - west end access, Lake Elmo Regional Park, Lake Harriet, Lake Hiawatha Park, Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, Lake Shetek State Park, Lake Waconia, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Lone Tree Lake, Maplewood Nature Center, Maplewood State Park, Miedd Lake, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Bass Ponds, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Headquarters, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Louisville Swamp, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Rapids Lake, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Wilkie Unit, Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, Mississippi River Lock and Dam 2, Moose Lake WTP, Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve - Pet Trails, Myre Big Island State Park, New Germany Area, North Ottawa Impoundment, Oakdale Nature Preserve, Old Cedar Avenue Bridge, Orwell Wildlife Management Area, Park Point - ball fields & beach house area, Park Point - Dune Bridge near airport, Park Point - Lafayette Square, Park Point - Park Point Rec. Area, Pelican Lake, Pine City WTP, Powderhorn Park, Purgatory Creek Wetlands, Red Rock Rd, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Rice Lake State Park, Ritter Farm Park, Roseau River Wildlife Management Area, Rothsay Wildlife Management Area, Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, Saint Olaf College Natural Lands, Saint Paul Downtown Airport, Salt Lake, Sax-Zim Bog, Shakopee Lake, Sham Lake, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge - Blue Hill Trail, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Drive, Silver Creek Reservoir, Slag Point (Morgan Park Mudflats), Southwest Minnesota State University, Split Rock Creek State Park, Spring Lake Park Reserve - Camp Spring Lake, Spring Lake Park Reserve - Schaar's Bluff, St John's Abbey Arboretum, Stoney Point, Sucker Lake, Talcot Lake Wildlife Management Area, Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, Tamarack Nature Center, Theodore Wirth Park, Tony Schmidt Park, Two Harbors - Lighthouse Point, University of Minnesota - Saint Paul campus, Upper Sioux Agency State Park (Permanently Closed), Vadnais Lake, Veterans Memorial Park, Waabizheshikana Trail (Western Waterfront Trail), Westwood Hills Nature Center, Whitetail Woods Regional Park, Whitewater State Park, Whitewater Wildlife Management Area, Whitewater Wildlife Management Area, William O'Brien State Park, Willow Creek Reservoir, WLSSD, Wolf Creek Wetland & Wildlife Area, Wolf Lake Waterfowl Production Area, Wood Lake Nature Center. Each offers unique habitats and species.
When is the best time to go birding in Minnesota?
The best seasons for birding in Minnesota are Spring and Fall and Winter. Spring migration brings diverse species through the area. Winter offers opportunities for cold-weather specialties and waterfowl.
What birds can I see in Minnesota?
Notable species in Minnesota include Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Boreal Chickadee, Black-backed Woodpecker, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Canada Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, and more. The state supports forest, wetland, grassland, urban park, lake, coastal, river/riparian, mountain habitats.

Plan Your Birding Trip

Get the most out of your birding adventure in Minnesota with our expert guides.