Birding

The Whitefish Chain of Lakes Region in Minnesota's Brainerd Lakes Area at the heart of one of the world’s major flyways for migrating birds. With a four-season weather pattern and diverse blend of prairie, evergreens and deciduous forests wrapped in and around a variety of lakes, streams and even the mighty Mississippi River, birding in the Whitefish Area is unlike any other area in the world.

It’s not unusual for a keen-eyed birder to log more than 100 different species in an eight-hour day. The luckiest may spot a Northern Goshawk or an American Woodcock, found in woodland openings. Seeing either of these species, let alone both, is an experience of a lifetime. For some of the most common birds found in Minnesota, visit the MN DNR's Birding page.

Plus, convenient lodging offers a vacation destination full of abundance of wildlife and other nature-oriented experiences.

The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association developed a Birds of the Byway brochure and tour guide checklist to help travelers appreciate, explore and enjoy birding. Download a copy of the checklist. Or contact us request the full color Birds of the Byway brochure, which includes the Tour Guide Checklist. Your lodging host can also set up a birding tour with the Whitefish Chain Region's local expert, Judd Brink of MN Backyard Birds.
 

If you're new to birding, here are a few birding tips:

  1. Note the color of the bird — many guidebooks are organized by bird color
  2. Note the size of the bird
  3. Note the size, shape and color of the bird's bill
  4. Be aware of the bird's surroundings (Is it a marsh, high in a tree or a long the forest floor?)
  5. What is the bird eating?
  6. Flight — does the bird sora, glide, hover, dive or have an undulating flight?
You may also use the bird's posture (how does the bird perch?) and it's flight as indentifiers, but birds are usually easiest to identify when they are at rest. It takes practice to make these observations, but being aware of these bird traits will speed  up your birding skills. A great book to use on your birding adventure is Birds of Minnesota Field Guide by Stan Tekiela (Adventure Publications, Cambridge, MN).
 
Birding Links for even more information
Links for Birding with Kids