2025 Festival of Birds Registration

Welcome to the 28th annual Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds! Whether you’re a beginner or experienced birder, or somewhere in between, the Festival of Birds has something for you! You’re invited to join us May 15-17, 2025. Detroit Lakes is located in a unique transition of three biomes – tallgrass prairie, hardwood and conifer forests – with a landscape peppered with lakes and wetlands. The Detroit Lakes area is a migration hotspot with more than 250 species of birds! Our festival goal is to provide you with a quality birding experience. 

REGISTER EARLY: A Vortex binocular will be free to an early bird registering by April 30, 2025.
Register for the festival by 4:00 pm (CST) Friday, May 2, 2025.
Cancellations must be made by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 with the registration event fee of $10.00 (one day) or $15.00 (multiple days) non-refundable. To receive updates on the festival, please include your e-mail address; we do not share your address with outside parties. See information on Detroit Lakes’ lodging and dining options while in the area for birding. 

REGISTRATION: Pick up your welcome packets and register Thursday-Friday, May 15-16 from 9:00 am-5:00 pm at the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce office at 700 Summit Avenue. If any events have openings, you may register and pay for them at this time. Also register 5:15 am-5:30 am Friday and Saturday morning at M State College’s west parking lot before the field trips. 

FIELD TRIP NOTES: Field trips will be guided by experienced leaders and a naturalist. Field trips leave promptly at 5:30 am by motorcoach buses with onboard restroom or vehicle caravan from the M State College west parking lot. Find festival details on the Festival of Birds web page. Spring temperatures may vary from 70’s to 30’s, so bring layered clothing and waterproof footwear/outerwear. Please bring your own beverage and snacks. For the Friday and Saturday field trips until 2 pm, please also pack your lunch. No field trips will be cancelled unless weather is severe. No refunds will be issued for cancelled field trips, or for speakers who are unable to deliver their presentation due to an emergency. Please read the field trip descriptions to find those most suitable for your mobility. Maps will be available at the Detroit Lakes Chamber office for field trip and evening presentation locations as well as birding hotspots.