Fergus Falls, MN is a beautiful city that offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation. One of the most popular activities in the area is birding, and there are a number of great spots to participate in the hobby. Today, we’re looking at some of the greatest spots for birdwatching in the area.
1. Riverside Waterfowl Sanctuary
If you have an affinity for waterfowl, we strongly recommend checking out the Riverside Waterfowl Sanctuary. Birds can be seen in this sanctuary throughout the year, but you should visit in the winter if you want to see trumpeter swans. Other birds you should look for throughout the year include ring-necked ducks, wood ducks, mallards, and Canada geese.
2. Prairie Wetlands Learning Center
We also recommend driving to the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center at 602 State Highway 210E and hiking down one or more of the trails there to see a wide variety of bird species. If you walk down the quarter-mile parking lot loop, you can see barn swallows, purple martins, tree swallows, and eastern bluebirds. Other trails that are great for birding include:
- Wetland Way Trail
- Tintah Trail
- Mallard Marsh Trail
3. Maplewood State Park
Maplewood State Park at 39721 Park Entrance Road is another great place to visit for birding. There are dozens of bird species that you can expect to see throughout the year. In the fall, some of the most commonly sighted birds include Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, and blue-winged teals. Turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, killdeer, and several types of woodpeckers are also commonly spotted in the fall.
Fall is one of the best times of year to visit Maplewood State Park for birding, but there are many bird species you can see in the winter, too. For instance, American crows, blue jays, black-capped chickadees, and white-breasted nuthatches can be seen in abundance in the winter. Less commonly, you can see such species as European starlings, cedar waxwings, and dark-eyed juncos.
4. Adams Park on Grotto Lake
Finally, you should check out Adams Park on Grotto Lake on S Burlington Ave. Besides the lake, there are man-made habitats here that serve as a home to many adaptable bird species, like great egrets, tree swallows, and pied-billed grebes.
Fergus Falls is home to many species of birds, and there is a lot of protected land in the area worth visiting if you want to birdwatch. However, you can’t get to these great spots via public transportation. If you’re in the market for a reliable car, a 2023 Chevy Equinox may be ideal for you. To take it for a test drive, visit us today at Minnesota Motor Company.
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