Bird Watching & Wildlife

Kittson County is home to numerous bird species both common and rare, including: Sandhill Crane, Snow, Blue, & Canada Goose, migrating Swans, Marbled Godwit, several owl species, ruffed & sharptail grouse, Hungarian Partridge, Bald Eagle, Cormorant, many shore birds, and many upland species. Many public lands are within a short drive including Lake Bronson State Park, Aggasiz National Wildlife Refuge, and several DNR managed Wildlife management Areas. Other common wildlife include timber wolf, whitetail deer, black bear, moose, and beavers.

Please visit the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail website! 

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.