On any given day in the United States millions of bird lovers are outside watching birds. Not only is bird watching a fun and enjoyable hobby, it’s a great way to get outdoors and even get some exercise too. If you’re used to enjoying the birds from your own backyard, why not explore the immense beauty of nature and head out on a Birdwatching Vacation this year? The following are some of the hottest birdwatching locations in America.
1. Southeastern Arizona
Arizona has dozens of notable birding hotpots including Madera Canyon, Saguaro
National Park, Cave Creek Canyon and Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve. Here, you’re sure to see beauties such as the
Elegant Trogan, the Canyon Towhee, Cactus Wren, Flame-Colored Tanager, and even
the Greater Road Runner.
2. Cape May, New Jersey
Birding is spectacular here at the southern tip of New Jersey. You’ll find
countless opportunities to spot spring songbirds, wintering waterfowl, warblers
and even hawks. With so many bird watchers in the area, you will surely be in
good company.
3. Sanibel Island, Florida
Set just off the coast, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is known for its remarkable wading birds. Bird watchers can find over 300 species of birds here including White Ibises, Wood Storks, Reddish Egrets, and Spoonbills. Because it is such a popular birding spot, more than 800,000 nature lovers come every year for a visit.
4. Point Reyes National Seashore,
California
Just north of San Francisco, this special part of the Pacific Ocean has an enormous diversity of birdlife. Here, bird watchers will find more than 460 species – nearly half the entire North American total. Because of the sprawling urban area to its south, birds flock to Point Reyes as a safe haven. Whether you come in the spring or fall, you’ll definitely want to bring your camera when you come to this spectacular location.
5. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Best described as “the middle of nowhere” this desert oasis in central New Mexico is famous for being the home of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese. With 30,000 acres of wilderness bordered by the Chupadera Mountains and the Magdalenas it’s a great birding spot year-round. The Rio Grande is fairly close so you could do two trips in one!
6. Crane Creek State Park, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio
The birding hotspots here are located along the Lake Erie coast. There, birders can see everything from shorebirds and migrating waterfowl to warblers and Bald Eagles. This place is quite vast, so plan on staying for at least a couple days.
7. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Although this National Park is several hours from El Paso or San Antonio, you’ll get a chance to stretch your legs after that long car ride, with a 9 mile hike around the park! The southernmost mountain range in the United States, the gorgeous Chisos Mountains, is included in Big Bend. You’ll see a wide array of birds including Lucifer Hummingbirds, Pyrrhuloxias, Flycatchers and Varied Buntings.
8. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Texas
Lower Rio Grande Valley is a hotspot for birding thanks to Santa Ana being
at an environmental crossroads. Here you’ll see Hawks, Raptors, Golden-Winged
Warblers, Tropical Parulas, American Redstart, and Yellow-Breasted Chats. The Great Plains and Chihuahuan desert
climates along with the
subtropical Gulf Coast, make it a real mecca for birds of all kinds.
9. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Pennsylvania
The name says it all! This birding site in central Pennsylvania is perfect for watching southbound hawks and eagles. It also is a historic site thanks to conservationists buying the land in 1930s and ending the slaughter of hawks. This is such a majestic birding spot, you’ll want to return again and again.
10. Acadia National Park, Maine
Exquisitely beautiful, this national park attracts over 325 bird species during the year. The rocky coast attracts Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles, Black Guillemots, Sooty Shearwaters, and Wilson’s Storm-Petrels.
If a road trip is out of the question and you’re
looking to explore more birding spots in your area, you may want to consider
joining a Birdwatching Club. These can be found with a simple search online. In
a Birdwatching Club, you will meet many other bird lovers who can offer their
favorite birding locations in your area.
Of course, with all those intriguing birding spots, you’ll want to be sure to
have your binoculars and bird guides with you. Our water and weatherproof
birding gear is
perfect for the backyard to across the country -wherever your birding
adventures take you!
