Pine to Prairie: The International Birding Trail Welcomes You!

Northwestern Minnesota communities know they have something special with the Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail. More than 275 species of birds can be discovered at 51 sites along a 200-mile trail from Fergus Falls north to Pelican Rapids, Detroit Lakes, Thief River Falls and Roseau, as well as the communities of Warren, Hallock and Otter Tail Lakes Country. The Minnesota trail connects north to another 300-mile birding trail to Manitoba, Canada. With Minnesota’s lakes and north woods habitats — coniferous forest, deciduous forest, aspen parklands and tallgrass prairie — birders discover new birds each of the four seasons.

In April and early May book a blind at sites such as the Tympanuchus Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Settle in before dawn before the Greater Prairie Chickens and Sharp-tailed Grouse arrive. Enjoy the wild cackles and show as males boom and dance in their annual mating ritual. In May, welcome warblers back from Central America during the Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds. With spring’s light foliage it’s the perfect time to spot a host of migrating birds.

Travel to the forests near sites like Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge in May to spot the Golden-winged Warbler and wetlands in June and July to view nesting Trumpeter Swans. Watch for migrations of Sandhill Cranes coming from Canada in spring and summer and waterfowl heading north in the spring and south in the fall along the Mississippi flyway. With its boreal forests, owl watchers visit in the winter searching for the Great Gray Owl and the Hawk Owl.

With its diverse ecosystems, the Pine To Prairie International Birding Trail offers birders an adventure to explore WMAs, wildlife refuges and natural areas off the beaten path. Check eBird to see the vast numbers of species birders have seen. There are plenty of opportunities to add your sightings to eBird and check “lifers” off your list — 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, Mourning and Golden-winged Warblers; Red and White-winged Crossbills and Pine and Evening Grosbeaks.

With its diverse habitats and four seasons the Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail is the perfect destination for amateur and serious birders. You won’t be disappointed.

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