United States Bird Watching Vacations

Bird watching is popular on every coast and in-between in the United States. The migration of birds can be a puzzling phenomenon. Birds travel thousands of miles to migrate. Fall migration enables species to find food in different locations and then in the spring return to home to breed and raise their young. The ruby-throated hummingbird travels from Rockport, Texas to the Gulf of Mexico to feed from flowers. When conditions are right, they fly 500 miles non-stop to the Yucatan peninsula. The fascinating life of birds, their habitats, their songs, their instincts and migration patterns are just some of the reasons why birding is so fascinating. 

 

Birding in the state of Maine: This state is known for its unique breeding colonies for Atlantic Puffins along the coast. Loons can be spotted on many of the state’s lakes and ponds. Spring and summer months are the perfect months to go birding and observe the many species in Maine. This state can be divided into six bird-watching regions (Interior & Southern, Northern Maine, Western Mountains, Southwest Coast Salt Marshes, Midcoast Rocky Peninsulas and Downeast Boreal Coast). During the winter, the interior of Maine is all but deserted except for the hardiest species of birds. The coast harbors large number of waterfowl, seabirds and passerines. 

Birding in the Southwestern Desert: There are three prominent species that can be spotted in the desert climate: the roadrunner, sage grouse and elegant trogon. The roadrunner really does exist and can be spotted in this desert environment. This bird is an unusual species but is comfortable around humans. It is a large bird almost 2 feet long with half of that 2 feet being tail feathers. The rolling plains of the desert and south and is home to the sage grouse. This species of bird feed on the buds and leaves of the abundant species of sage. The elegant trogon is a solitary bird that can be found in the desert mountain canyons where it returns annually for nesting. This is a beautiful bird that can often be a challenge to spot.

Oregon Bird Watching: Oregon’s natural habitat and geography make it a desirable spot to bird watch. Wooded mountain forests, rugged coastlines and even a desert habitat make Oregon home to varied species of birds. The Klamath Basin begins in California and extends far into Oregon. This basin provides grasslands, marshes, hills, lakes and streams for millions of birds each year. Yellow rails, warblers, ducks, woodpeckers, Great Gray Owls, hummingbirds, raptors and cranes are just a few of the species that abound. Over 500 bald eagles, also make this area of Oregon home. Eastern Oregon enjoys the Malheur National Refuge. This area boasts 32 miles of refuge for birds. Puffins nest on the rocks of the Brandon Marsh located on the coast of Oregon. Just before you reach the Washington border, you encounter the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Reserve where wintertime brings 1,000 Tundra Swans, 5,000 geese and 30,000 ducks to nest.

Bird Watching in Florida: Bird watching in Florida is an organized hobby. The Great Florida Birding Trail is a list of 446 sites throughout Florida that are selected for their superior bird watching opportunities. It is 2000-miles of trail that is designed to draw attention to Florida’s bird watching activities. This trail opened officially on January 14, 2006. As you vacation in this great state, special highway signs are located to identify trail sites. These signs include detailed maps showcasing the birding opportunities. The trail is divided into four sections including the east, west, panhandle and south Florida sections. There are also birding events offered throughout the spring in such cities as Tallahassee, St. Augustine and Port St. Joe. The Southwest Florida Birding Festival will be held January 19-21, 2007 in Naples, Florida. The good thing about birding in Florida is the weather. You may have to endure some rain but at least the temperatures will be mild.