Eco-tourism in Minnesota; It's Great
Not many people realize that Minnesota and Wisconsin are the number one and two birding destinations in the lower forty-eight states. Of the 8 most wanted birds on the American Birding Association list, 4 are regularly seen in Minnesota, as are 11 of the top 25 most wanted birds. These birds include the Gyrfalcon, Great Gray Owl, Boreal Owl, Snowy Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Spruce Grouse, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Connecticut Warbler and Yellow Rail. The Gyrfalcon, owls, woodpeckers and spruce grouse can be seen along the north shore of Lake Superior in winter. The Yellow Rail and Connecticut Warbler can be seen in St. Louis County, west of Duluth in the summer. The Connecticut Warbler can also be seen along the north shore and in several north central counties. About 40 percent of the Golden-winged Warbler nesting population can be found in Minnesota. More information near bottom of page.
Minnesota is also one of the few places in the United States where you can see both bald and golden eagles, both trumpeter and tundra swans and both sandhill and whooping cranes, plus it has the largest population of wolves in the lower 48 states, and one of the largest populations of moose and black bears west of the Mississippi.
Natural History Areas of Minnesota
Northeast Minnesota
Winter
Park Point and Lake Superior harbors for wintering gulls, ducks and loons. Sax-Zim Bog with its Winter Boreal Bird Festival in February.
Spring, Summer & Early Fall
International Wolf Center- wolves - and North American Bear Center - black bears -– Ely, MN
Shute Bear Refuge – Orr, MN – black bears
North Shore & Gunflint Trail – birding, wildlife.
Crex Meadows, Grantsburg, Wisconsin – migrating and native/nesting sandhill cranes, bald eagles, osprey, wolves, abundant prairie and wetland wildflowers
Fall
Hawk Ridge – Hawk migration
Winter
Black Dog Road, Burnsville, MN – native and migrating bald eagles, and trumpeter swans and ducks
Monticello, MN wintering Trumpeter Swans
Spring & Fall
Black Dog Road, Burnsville, MN Migrating pelicans, waterfowl, trumpeter swans, gulls
Summer & Fall
Black Dog Road, Burnsville, MN – nesting bald eagles, pergrines and osprey, birding
Wildlife Science Center – wolves, bears, raptors
Numerous birding and wildlife areas - Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Carlos Avery Game Refuge, MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Murphy-Hanrahan Regional Park, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary, MN Zoo, Como Zoo
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge & the International Crane Institute – one of two summering/breeding populations of endangered whooping cranes in the world, plus captive cranes from around the world
Winter, Spring,Summer & fall
Mississippi River from Redwing to the Iowa Border - largest population of wintering bald eagles in the world, wintering waterfowl, nesting bald eagles
National Eagle Center, Wabasha, MN
Whitewater State Park & Game Refuge – wintering golden eagles
Summer
National Eagle Center, Wabasha, MN
Whitewater State Park & Game Refuge
Fall
Mississippi River from Weaver Bottoms to Iowa Border in Minnesota, and Rieck's Lake in Alma, Wisconsin - Migrating waterfowl, including numerous species of ducks, Canada geese and tundra swans, and sandhill cranes
Southwest Minnesota
Spring, Summer & Fall
Jeffers Petroglyphs - Native American rock carvings & wildflower prairie
Blue Mounds State Park - Bison and birding
Pipestone National Monument – Pipestone Quarries, birding and wildflower prairie, and Native American Pow Wow
I'll post several birding and wildlife photography tips soon.
There is a complete list of where to see rare or interesting birds and mammals in Minnesota, and a lot more useful information, on my website at http://www.trmichels.com/MinnesotaBirdingAreas.htm. If you want to visit any of these places and do not have transportation, or need a natural history guide, contact us at TRMichels@yahoo.com.
Southeast Minnesota
Twin Cities Metro Area & Central Wisconsin
If you know of other places to go, feel free to comment below.
Remember, take a family member of friend along on a nature tour, and bring along a still or video camera, and binoculars of spotting scope for memories sake and better viewing.
God bless and enjoy our Great Outdoors,
T.R.
There are also photographs of birds and wildlife for sale on our site. Just look for the links to T.R. Michels Outdoor Photography or log on to http://www.trmichels.com/PhotoCardCalendarPrices.htm.