Our Staff’s Favorite Birding Spots

Where are the best places to bird around the metro area? I asked our store staff to name their favorite place to bird, or places that their customers like to bird.

By Guest Contributor MELISSA BLOCK

Julie
White Bear Lake store manager, Julie Ziemer

Julie, White Bear Lake store manager, said that customers often mention Tamarack Nature Center (in White Bear Township) and Katherine Abbot Park (in Mahtomedi).

Tamarack Nature Center

Katherine Abbott Park

Eagan store manager Terri Doll recommends Lebanon Hills as a great place to see birds. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington is always fantastic, too.

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Minnesota River Valley Wildlife Refuge

Lisa Stanford, senior sales associate at the Bloomington store, said her favorite place to bird is her backyard! She also mentioned the old Cedar Avenue Bridge (in Bloomington) and Bass Ponds (in the MN Valley Wildlife Refuge) are great places to see birds.

Old Cedar Avenue Bridge

Bass Ponds, Minnesota River Valley Wildlife Refuge

Steve Endres
Bloomington store manger Steve Endres

Steve Endres, Bloomington store manager, mentioned Nerstrand Woods (in Nerstrand, MN) as a good place to see Red-headed Woodpeckers.

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Carol Chenault, Minnetonka store manager

Carol, Minnetonka store manager, said that Big Willow Park and Purgatory Creek Park in Minnetonka are fun places to bird.

Big Willow Park

Purgatory Creek Park

If you want to see some Purple Martins, Kris at the Wayzata store recommends Wayzata Beach where there are several martin houses up. She also mentioned Holy Name Lake to see nesting swans.

Wayzata Beach

Holy Name Lake

There also dozens of other local and state places to see birds. Louisville Swamp Trail (Shakopee), Baker Park Preserve (Maple Plain) just to name a couple more. So, get out and enjoy our wonderful Fall season.