Festival Of Birds
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
May 14 - 17

Set the alarm. Grab the binoculars. Put on good walking shoes. Serious birders flock here each spring for the annual Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds.

Although spring was delayed by two weeks, 190 species of birds were checked off the list during the festival. The Friday field trip to Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge topped the list with 115 bird species. The Black-backed Woodpecker was seen at Red Lake Wildlife Management Area and the theme bird, the Connecticut Warbler, was heard at Glendalough State Park.

The 12th annual Festival of Birds is scheduled for May 14-17, 2009 with keynote speaker Richard Crossley. Crossley is an Englishman who traveled the world studying birds. He became obsessed with bird photography while co-authoring The Shorebird Guide. He now lives in West Cape May with his wife Debra and two daughters. Another planned highlight of the 2009 festival is news about the Canadian Birding Trail, with featured sites such as Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre.

Any time of year, we welcome you to check out several sites along the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail that are near Detroit Lakes. Download the Bird Checklist of 275 species along the trail below.

Watch for the rare Piping Plover at Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Listen for the call of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge. Catch a glimpse of brilliant orange Baltimore Orioles in the Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District. For a true nature adventure, head to the Helliksen Prairie Waterfowl Production Area and scan the prairie for Greater Prairie Chickens and Sandhill Cranes. Slip on boots and explore the wet meadows of Waubun Wildlife Management Area seeking out the Yellow Rail.

Take a break with a simple picnic lunch at Dunton Locks County Park while you watch great blue herons fish for their lunch.

Everywhere you go in Detroit Lakes' bird paradise, you're guaranteed to see birds to check off your bird list. Best of all, you'll hear the winsome call of the loon, Minnesota's state bird.

We welcome you to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Happy birding!