Pine to Prairie: The International Birding Trail Welcomes You!

Welcome to Northwestern Minnesota where a unique collection of habitats provides 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 Minnesota transition zone that offers over 275 species of birds. Most of the birding sites are on public land or private reserves open to the public. Birding trail logo signs are in place at a number of birding locations, with interpretive signs in place at featured sites.

See Trail Sites
Interactive Map »The Minnesota trail is over 200 miles in length with 51 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 specialty bird species. The Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail extends another 300 miles north of Minnesota into Manitoba, Canada with an additional 24 sites and bird species.

Some of the unique “lifers” you can see include the Chestnut-collared Longspur, 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.