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:

Today’s birding report comes from the Brainerd lakes area: Eastern Bluebird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Dark-eyed Junco, Veery, American Robin, Common Raven, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Sandhill Crane, Trumpeter Swan, Northern Cardinal, Wild Turkey, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Common Loon, Mallard, American Coots, Canada Goose, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackle, Brewer’s Blackbird, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Belted Kingfisher, Song Sparrow, Hooded Merganser, American Kestrel, American Tree Sparrow, Ring-billed Gull, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Mourning Dove. Happy Birding! If you want to share a photo or have a unique bird sighting please email them to info@birdminnesota.com.

Fall Bird Migration:

Here are a few fun links to follow especially during the fall migration season of September through October.

I am hearing that Sandhill Cranes are starting to gather at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. Also, it’s not too late to plan a weekend at Hawk Ridge in Duluth; watch the weather because northwest winds are what you want for optimal viewing. Check the link above for more information.

Brainerd Area 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 Warblers
  • Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge: Sandhill Cranes
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. This is a great time to think about bird-scaping your yard to help attract more colorful birds. Ask for native fruiting trees and shrubs to plant around the house or cabin to bring in more birds naturally.
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 area.