Features
Birding in Minnesota: A Guide For The Backyard Bird Watcher
Counting Crows . . . owls, finches, hawks, loons, ducks and every other bird species in Minnesota
GOING NATIVE
Planting trees, shrubs, and other plants native to Minnesota will attract birds to your backyard by attracting insects that birds like to eat. Some native plants to consider next time you’re at the garden store:
Trees
Red and Sugar Maple
White Oak
Black Cherry
White Pine
Hackberry
Perennials
Showy Goldenrod
Silky Aster
Blue Flag Iris
Whorled Milkweed
Wild Bergamot
Shrubs
Chokecherry
Wild Plum*
Pagoda Dogwood
Red Raspberry
Lead Plant
*The wild plum attracts a whopping 429 types of larval insects. **Source: Audubon Minnesota
KEY EQUIPMENT FOR BIRDING
A good pair of binoculars
Field guide for identifying birds (paper or phone app)
Pencil and paper for recording field notes
Appropriate clothing, insect repellent
Map, if necessary
Water and snacks
Camera
(if you want to take pictures)