Judd Brink is a local guide and naturalist who provides a weekly birding report during the spring bird migration, the summer nesting season, and the fall bird migration for Visit Brainerd. This is the 11th season Judd has provided birding reports about the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Birds Spotted in the Brainerd Area:

A rare bird was reported yesterday in the town of Aitkin, MN—a Black Vulture. The Turkey Vulture is much more common in our area and is seen in the area throughout the summer season. Other birds spotted include: Tree Swallow, Purple Martin, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, House Wren, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, House Finch, Purple Finch, Scarlet Tanager, American Goldfinch, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Mourning Dove, Common Raven, Whip-poor- Will, Pine Warbler, American Redstart, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Ovenbird, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern-wood Pewee, Broad-wing Hawk, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Killdeer, Great-blue Heron, Osprey, Great-blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Common Loon, Trumpeter Swan, Common Merganser, Mallard, Woodduck, Redhead Duck, Ring-billed Gull, Blue-winged Teal, Canada Goose, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Baltimore Oriole, Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Red-headed Woodpecker. Happy Birding! If you want to share a photo or have a unique bird sighting please email them to info@birdminnesota.com.

Summer Birding Locations:
  • French Rapids ( Mississippi River): Waterfowl
  • Kiwanis/Rotary Park (Mississippi River): Waterfowl and Warblers
  • Northland Arboretum: Sparrows, Warblers and Tanagers
  • Crow Wing State Park: Songbirds, Waterfowl and Warbler
  • Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge: NOW see migrating Sandhill Cranes.
Tips for Attracting Birds:
Here are a few ideas on what you can do to help attract birds. This is still a good time to think about native plantings that can provide fruits, cover, nesting and shelter. It’s still bear season in the area with numerous reports of them coming to feeders. It’s best to keep your seed inside (garage or shed). Please bring in feeders each evening or possibly leave them empty for a while until the bear leaves the area. Do NOT contact the DNR; they are going to tell you the same thing. You might also start to notice less activity at the feeders, this is common as the birds are now using their natural food sources.
Judd Brink is the owner of MN Backyard Birds and can help make your home and or business more active and attractive for our feathered friends with bird scaping! We hope you can share the joy of watching birds from your home or with others when visiting one of the many great birding areas found in the Brainerd lakes.