Minnesota's First Birding Trail!

Welcome to Northwestern Minnesota where a unique collection of habitats provide homes for a tremendous variety of birds. Pine forests, deciduous woodlands, native tallgrass prairie, aspen parkland, sand dunes (remnants of Glacial Lake Agassiz), calcareous fens, bogs, marshes, large and small lakes and rivers make up the transition zone that offers over 275 species of birds. Most of the sites are on public land or private reserves open to the public. There are not facilities at all sites.

Some of the unique “lifers” you can see here include the Northern Goshawk, Ruffed Grouse, Greater Prairie-Chicken, Yellow Rail, American Woodcock, Snowy Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Great Gray Owl, Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers, Boreal Chickadee; Bay-breasted, Connecticut and Mourning Warblers; Red and White-winged Crossbills and Pine and Evening Grosbeaks..

This Web site will help you get started. It provides a reference for beginning to advanced birders. The trail is over 200 miles in length with 45 sites to view birds. These sites offer some of the most spectacular birding in the state, along with scenic beauty and friendly communities. Although spring, summer and fall offer an abundance of birds, winter is also an exciting time to see winter specialties.

The Pine to Prairie Birding Trail is dynamic. Birding trail logo signs are in place at a number of birding locations; however, complete signage is not currently in place. Interpretive signs are in place at featured sites; the future will bring additional signage and informational improvements.

Currently, check with Tourism Officials at Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids, Roseau, Thief River Falls and Warroad for information on bird sightings and assistance with trip planning.

The Pine to Prairie Birding Trail is a unique partnership between the NW Minnesota communities of Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids, Roseau, Thief River Falls and Warroad; participating agencies U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Non-game Wildlife Program, Explore Minnesota Tourism; the birding entities of the Minnesota Ornithologist’s Union, Audubon Minnesota, Lakes Area Birding Club and the Agassiz Chapter of the National Audubon Society.