Detroit Lakes Festival Of Birds

Detroit Lakes is nestled in the heart of a transition zone between tall grass prairie, northern hardwood and conifer forest ecosystems. That means there are lots of kinds of birds! Which, in turn, means a lot of serious birders flocking here each spring for the annual Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds.

The 28th annual Festival of Birds is scheduled for May 15-17, 2025.
You’ll want to hear captivating presentations by Rebecca Heisman and Carrol Henderson. Save the dates!

Wild Stories from the History of Bird Migration Research by Rebecca Heisman
We’ve all heard amazing facts about bird migration—the long distances that birds travel, the ways that they navigate, etc. But did you ever wonder how we figured all of this out? While working for the American Ornithological Society, Rebecca Heisman became fascinated with the varied and creative techniques that scientists have used to study bird migration, and this eventually became the basis for her book Flight Paths: How a Passionate and Quirky Group of Pioneering Scientists Solved the Mystery of Bird Migration. In her talk, she’ll share some surprising stories from the history of bird migration research, from the low tech (counting birds flying in front of the full moon at night) to the high tech (the development of weather radar and radio telemetry for studying birds) and discuss why understanding migration is so crucial for bird conservation.

2024 Field Trip highlight species:
Eastern and Western Kingbirds and Marbled Godwit on Rothsay field trip
Sora and Black-billed Cuckoo on Tamarac Refuge field trip
Shorebirds and Red-headed Woodpecker on Hamden/Wannigan/Ike Fischer field trip

2024 Field Trip Checklists
Friday, May 17, 2024 Wannigan/Ike Fischer/Hamden Slough checklist
Friday, May 17, 2024 Tamarac Refuge checklist
Saturday, May 18, 2024 Rothsay/Dunton Locks checklist
Saturday, May 18, 2024 Warblers & Wildflowers checklist
Saturday, May 18, 2024 Tamarac Refuge checklist
2024 Checklist of Total Species Recorded on Field Trips

2023 Field Trip Checklists
Friday, May 19, 2023 Hamden Slough Refuge checklist
Friday, May 19, 2023 Tamarac Refuge checklist
Saturday, May 20, 2023 Maplewood State Park checklist
Saturday, May 20, 2023 Agassiz Dunes SNA checklist
2023 Checklist of Birds Recorded on Field Trips

Festival attendees throughout the years have learned much about birds, wildlife and the environment through presenters such as Don Kroodsma, John Fitzpatrick, John Marzluff, Joel Greenberg, Melissa Groo, Rosalind Renfrew, Sue Leaf, Drew Wheelan, Charlie Walcott, Richard Crossley, Scott Weidensaul, David Sibley, Bill Thompson III, Laura Erickson, Don and Lillian Stokes, Kenn Kaufmann, Dr. Paul Johnsgard, Stan Tekiela, Dr. James Grier, Sharon Stiteler, Al Batt, Jeff Gordon, Joe Hautman, Jeb Barzen, Ernesto Reyes, Noah Strycker, Lyanda Haupt, Kevin Karlson, Randy Kolka, Mike Havlik, Steve Maanum and Marshall Johnson.

If you would like to receive future Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds email updates, please contact us at dlchamber@VisitDetroitLakes.com or call 218-847-9202. For updates, “like” us on facebook. Enjoy our small town hospitality while in Detroit Lakes, including several lodging options.

In recent years, birders have checked these species off their list: Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Rough-legged Hawk, LeConte’s and Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrows, Golden-winged and Northern Parula Warblers, Alder Flycatcher, Greater Prairie Chicken and Black-backed Woodpecker.

Any time of year, we welcome you to check out several sites along the Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail that are near Detroit Lakes. For more birding opportunities in Minnesota, see the MOU website.

Everywhere you go in Detroit Lakes’ bird paradise, you’re guaranteed to see birds to check off your bird list. We welcome you to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Happy birding!