Best Places to Bird in North America
Eco Birding's Totally Biased Top 10
1. Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, OH
There is no place like Magee. Every spring, migrating warblers feed within your arm's reach before attempting to fly over Lake Erie. I did not believe it until I saw it firsthand. Annual pilgrimage to The Biggest Week in American Birding in May is absolutely a birder's must. Just go and you will not regret it.
2. Rio Grande Valley, TX
The Rio Grande Valley is an area located in the southernmost tip of South Texas which includes many extraordinary birding spots such as Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Falcon State Park and Bentson State Park. This is the area to see amazing array of Rio Grande Valley Speciality birds (Green Jay, Hook-billed Kite, Plain Chachalaca, Ringed Kingfisher, Red-billed Pigeon, Altamire Oriole, to name a few).
3. Sky Islands, AZ
Southeast Arizona offers an amazing array of local specialities such as Elegant Trogon, Pyrrhuoloxia, Painted Redstart, Red-faced Warbler, Gambel's Quail, Lazuli Bunting, and Canyon Wren. Be sure to check out Cave Creek in Chiricahua mountains, Madera Canyon, Ramsey Canyon, Carr Canyon, Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, and San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.
4. Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, UT
This relatively unknown place in Utah is a real gem to see unique shorebirds during spring migration. Visitors can view such birds as Western Grebes, American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Long-billed Curlews among other 200+ species.
5. Padre Island National Seashore, TX
During the migration, you can observe thousands of shorebirds flying south right from your campsite on the beach and it is certainly a sight to remember. At the South Padre Island Convention Center, exhausted songbirds just keeps dropping down from the sky after their long flight over the Gulf of Mexico. This area offers truly one of a kind birding experience.
6. Everglades National Park, FL
Canoeing is a must to bird the vast wetland of Eveglades National Park. If you are lucky, you might catch a sight of Snail Kites, White-crowned Pigeons, Woodstorks, Roseate Spoonbills among others.
7. Lost Maples State Natural Area, TX
Another gem hidden in the Texas Hill Country is this state land. This is said to be the easiest place to see endangered Black-capped Vireos and Golden-cheeked Warblers.
8. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, FL
This National Audubon Society's sanctuary is a must-go for birders visiting Florida. A leisurely Walk on the famed 2.25-mile boardwalk is sure to produce up-close encounters with many interesting bird species.
9. Central Park, NY
Central Park lies in the middle of Manhattan and serves as a green oasis for millions of New Yorkers as well as for migrating birds. It is an important stopover point on their journey to rest and refuel. During the height of spring migration, it is possible to see over 30 warbler species in a day.
10. Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, CA
Monterey Bay is the nation's largest marine sanctuary covering 276 miles of California's beautiful shoreline filled with abundant bird lives.
