Top 5 Birdwatching Spots In The US

Birdwatching is a fantastic way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and connect with nature. It’s no surprise that over 70 million Americans enjoy birdwatching at least once a year! Whether you’re an experienced birder or just starting out, you’ll need some binoculars, a camera, and a destination to get started. But where should you go to see the most amazing birds? 

 

Here are some of the best places in the U.S. to spot our feathered friends:

 

1. Monhegan Island, Maine

If you’re a bird enthusiast, Monhegan Island in Maine is a must-visit destination! According to the Audubon Society, this island is a “must-see” for birders. The island is located 11 miles off the coast and attracts migrating birds from May to September, creating a “birding spectacle.” During this time, you can see almost any migrating bird in the U.S. on this island, as well as some rare ones like Red-throated Loons, Atlantic Puffin, and Iceland Gulls. You can also see Black Guillemot, which lives on the island year-round.

 

Monhegan Island is a small, picturesque island that is home to an artists’ colony and a sizeable lobster fishery. The island is only one and a half miles long and half a mile wide, but it is one of the finest migrant and vagrant traps on the entire U.S. Atlantic Coast. Over the years, bird enthusiasts have observed nearly thirty different species of warblers, plus a nice variety of vireos, flycatchers, sparrows, raptors, and thrushes. During peak migration, a morning might turn up twenty different species of warbler. Our typical tour lasts five days, during which we see an average of 100 species of birds, the exact number being dependent on the weather. On one particularly bird-filled tour, we found 118 different species, our highest total ever.

 

2. Everglades National Park, Florida

If you’re a bird enthusiast, the Florida Everglades is a must-visit destination! The Everglades is not only one of the best national parks in the country, but also one of the best places to see birds. You can drive along a 38-mile road with many stops and trails, such as the Anhinga Trail, Snake Bight Trail, and the Shark Valley road. The Everglades is a “River of Grass” that hosts many kinds of birds, both wading and woodland. Some of the birds you can see are Wood Stork, Black-whiskered Vireo, Snail Kite, and Short-tailed Hawk.

 

The Everglades National Park is home to more than 386 species of birds in its aquatic and upland habitats. The park is divided into four size groups based on familiar birds such as a Crane, a Duck, a Pigeon, and a Sparrow. Using the approximate size of the bird you want to identify, you can scroll down the list or click to jump to one of the four size groups. The park supports a variety of birds, both resident and migratory, and is considered one of the most important stopovers and breeding grounds for birds in the country.

 

In addition to birdwatching, the Everglades National Park offers a variety of other activities for visitors. You can explore the area on your own by hiking the many trails and taking in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. You can also participate in educational workshops, guided hikes, and bird banding demonstrations.

 

3. Hawk Ridge, Minnesota

Hawk Ridge, Minnesota is a birdwatcher’s paradise! This bird observatory is located in Duluth, Minnesota and offers a breathtaking view of Lake Superior. The ridge is a hotspot for migrating birds, especially in mid to late September, when you can see thousands of Broad-winged Hawks. (That’s why the ridge is named after them!) You can also see the Bald Eagles, Merlin, and Peregrine Falcons. If you’re very lucky, you might spot a Mississippi Kite.

Hawk Ridge is a great place to visit for bird enthusiasts of all levels. The observatory offers a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including guided hikes, bird banding demonstrations, and educational workshops. You can also take advantage of the many trails and overlooks to explore the area on your own.

 

In addition to the stunning views and diverse bird species, Hawk Ridge is also home to a variety of other wildlife. Keep an eye out for deer, foxes, and even black bears!

 

If you’re planning a visit to Hawk Ridge, be sure to bring your binoculars and camera. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to capture some of the most beautiful birds in the country.

 

4. Klamath Basin NWR, Oregon

The Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges Complex is a must-visit destination for bird enthusiasts! Located in Northern California, close to Oregon, this complex is home to two different bird refuges where more than 200 species have been recorded. You can follow the Tule Lake or Lower Klamath roads, which have walking trails where you can see birds like White-faced Ibis, California Towhee, and Tricolored Blackbird.

 

The Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1908, was the first waterfowl refuge in the United States. Consisting of 46,900 acres, it includes shallow freshwater marshes, open water, grassy uplands, and croplands that are intensively managed to provide feeding, resting, nesting, and brood rearing habitat for waterfowl and other water birds. The refuge is open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset.

 

The Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in the fertile and intensely farmed Tule Lake Basin of northeastern California. It is a critical stopover for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, and provides nesting habitat for Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and other raptors. The refuge is open year-round and offers a variety of activities for visitors, including wildlife viewing, hunting, fishing, and photography.

 

5. The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is a beautiful and serene location situated near the border with Alabama. This reserve is a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System and is managed by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. The reserve is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several rare or endangered plant and animal species, numerous important marine fishery resources, diverse habitat types, and archaeological sites.

 

The Oak Grove Birding Trail is a must-visit for bird enthusiasts. This trail goes along a bayou and through a hardwood and pine forest, providing a perfect habitat for a variety of shore and woodland birds. Some of the birds you can spot here include Black-necked Stilt, Red-headed Woodpeckers, and Reddish Egrets.

 

In addition to birdwatching, the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve offers a variety of other activities for visitors. You can explore the area on your own by hiking the many trails and taking in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. You can also participate in educational workshops, guided hikes, and bird banding demonstrations.

 

Remember, curiosity is the key to learning and growth. So, go ahead and visit some of these places for a serene and engaging experience! Happy birdwatching!