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Bird Watching
Due to the unique transition zone of three ecosystems located within our County, bird watchers enjoy their hobby here
observing some 250 different species of birds. Bring your binoculars and camera along and marvel at our variety of
feathered friends.
For more details, see the links below...
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This is an 815 acre SNA (Scientific & Natural Area). Greenwater Lake is a pristine, spring fed lake with an
undeveloped shoreline. The site contains surrounding hills covered with a mixed forest of aspen and birch. Visit
the MN DNR Greenwater Lake SNA page for more information.
Birds to look for:
22 types of Warblers, Thrushes, Sparrows, Grouse, Sora, Common Yellowthroats, Swamp Sparrows, Sedge Wrens, Wilson's Snipe, raptors, numerous woodland birds.
Pine to Prarie Birding Trail
The Pine to Prairie Birding Trail (download trail map (PDF)) is a popular and internationally known birding trail that passes through Becker
County. The trail highlights our diverse collection of habitats here in Nortwestern Minnesota that offers homes for an immense
variety of birds. Although the trail is over 200 miles long and contains 45 distinct birding destinations, our County is
fortunate to contain 5 birding 'hotspots' popular with birders of all experience levels:
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This is a 1372 acre native tall grass prairie with numerous 'prairie pothole' wetlands. The area is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Birds to look for:
Waterfowl, Peregrine Falcon, Greater Prairie-Chicken, Sandhill Crane, Upland Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Sedge and Marsh Wren, prairie sparrows.
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This 3,200 acre USFWS refuge was established in 1989. The refuge features the prairie wetland ecosystem and is located in the prairie-hardwood transition zone.
Birds to look for:
Waterfowl, including Green-winged Teal, Canvasback, Redhead, Common Goldeneye and Ruddy Duck. Shorebirds when marshes are in drawdown, Snowy Owl (winter only), Sedge and Marsh Wrens, grassland sparrows, Bobolink and Yellow-headed Blackbird. Rarities seen include Cattle Egret and Piping Plover.
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Close to 43,000 acres. Prairie, bogs, hardwoods and pine forests. The refuge has an interpretive center, hiking trails, auto tour routes as well as boating available on refuge lakes and ponds. Managed by the USFWS.
Birds to look for:
Common Loon; Trumpeter Swan; Wood Duck; Bald Eagle; Red-shouldered and Broadwinged Hawks; Peregrine Falcon; Ruffed Grouse; American Woodcock; Winter, Sedge and Marsh Wrens; many neotropical migrants including 25 species of warblers possible in mid-May. Rarities seen include: White-winged Scoter; Great Gray Owl; Black-backed Woodpecker; Boreal Chickadee; Townsend’s Solitaire; Northern Mockingbird; Cerulean Warbler and Spotted Towhee.
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Cattail marsh; wetlands; prairie; tallgrass; Prairie Marsh Trail and boardwalk. Managed by the USFWS.
Birds to look for:
Waterfowl including Trumpeter Swan and Canada Geese; Northern Harrier; Common Nighthawk; woodpeckers; flycatchers; Sedge Wren; Eastern Bluebird; prairie sparrows; Rose-breasted Grosbeak; Baltimore Oriole; finches and osprey. An active osprey nest can be viewed from the Prairie Marsh Trail.
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County park located 2-1/2 miles south of Detroit Lakes. There are hiking and bike trails in the park as well as two picnic shelters. A wonderful feature is a restored waterway between Muskrat Lake and Lake Sallie. The Detroit Lakes DNR office is located adjacent to this county park.
Birds to look for:
Common Loon, Red-necked Grebe, waterfowl, woodpeckers, vireos, warblers and finches.