Stop by a Minnesota state park for some great programs on winter birding and how to identify animal tracks in the snow. Check out the snow conditions before you go.
November/December - Visit the Weaver Bottoms along the Mississippi River and watch thousands of migrating tundra swans en route to North Carolina and Virginia. From there, head south to Whitewater State Park to check for wintering bald eagles.
January/February - Try reading mammal tracks in the snow. You might find tracks for white-tailed deer, red fox, or coyotes. Open water along rivers provides habitat for Canada geese, trumpeter swans, and bald eagles.
Helpful tips
- Bring binoculars
- Go out at dawn and dusk for the best viewing
- Be alert and move slowly and quietly
- Search for tracks in the mud or snow
- Look near the edges of forests and fields, pond margins and treetops
- Try these wildlife and nature viewing tips
Want some more tips? Check out our nature viewing guide.
Events Calendar
Scroll table right to see more »01/28/23 | Wily Woodpeckers | Fort Snelling State Park | |
01/28/23 | Winter Birding: Owls | Blue Mounds State Park | |
01/28/23 | Skins and Skulls | Fort Snelling State Park | |
02/03/23 | Artist's Reception - Gordon Dietzman | Tettegouche State Park | |
02/04/23 | Down to the river | Fort Snelling State Park | |
02/08/23 | How Wildlife survive Winter | Fort Snelling State Park | |
02/11/23 | Animal Tracks and Signs | Afton State Park | |
02/18/23 | Great Backyard Bird Count Hike | Sibley State Park | |
02/18/23 | Kid's Beginner Snowshoeing | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
02/19/23 | Tracking | Fort Snelling State Park | |
02/25/23 | Snowshoe Hike along the Baptism River | Tettegouche State Park | |
03/03/23 | Artist's Reception - Terri Huro | Tettegouche State Park | |
03/18/23 | Skin and Bones | Sibley State Park | |
03/22/23 | Skins and Skulls | Fort Snelling State Park | |
03/25/23 | Amphibians and Reptiles | Blue Mounds State Park | |
04/01/23 | Aminal tracks for kids | Fort Snelling State Park | |
04/02/23 | Birding for beginners | Fort Snelling State Park | |
04/02/23 | Down to the river | Fort Snelling State Park | |
04/15/23 | Minnesota Turtles | Fort Snelling State Park | |
04/22/23 | Falcons, Live! | Tettegouche State Park | |
04/22/23 | Falcons, Live! | Gooseberry Falls State Park | |
04/22/23 | Scats and Tracks | Sibley State Park | |
04/29/23 | A walk in the park | Fort Snelling State Park | |
04/30/23 | Sunset in the park | Fort Snelling State Park | |
05/10/23 | H.O.P. into the Park: Fishers in Southeast Minnesota | Whitewater State Park | |
05/13/23 | Skin and Bones | Sibley State Park | |
05/14/23 | Birding for beginners | Fort Snelling State Park | |
05/28/23 | Floodplain walk | Fort Snelling State Park | |
05/28/23 | Invasive Naturalist Tent | Fort Snelling State Park | |
06/10/23 | Falcons, Live! | Tettegouche State Park | |
06/10/23 | Falcons, Live! | Gooseberry Falls State Park | |
06/12/23 | Outdoor Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
06/19/23 | Outdoor Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
06/26/23 | Outdoor Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
07/10/23 | Outdoor Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
07/17/23 | Outdoor Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
07/22/23 | Wildlife Photography Campfire Program | Forestville Mystery Cave State Park | |
07/24/23 | Outdoor Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
07/31/23 | Outdoor Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
08/07/23 | Outdoor Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
08/14/23 | Outdoor Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
08/21/23 | Outdoor Nature Tots | Interstate State Park |
Please note: Occasionally, due to extreme weather or poor snow conditions, an event may need to be canceled or changed. When in doubt, call the park.