birding resources

Field Notes Sheets

Bird watchers interested in increasing their identification skill will likely benefit from taking field notes. These two samples (simple, and detailed) are examples of field not taking. As forms, they help to remind one of the characteristics to cue into when observing a bird. DOWNLOAD: SAMPLE-Quick Field Notes DOWNLOAD: SAMPLE-Detailed Field Notes

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Bird Family Typical Characteristics

Each family grouping of birds tends to have a few identification characteristics that are most useful to conclusively identify, This chart is a quick reference list of those important characteristics. DOWNLOAD:  Family Characteristics

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99 Best Birds to Know

Especially for beginners, here is a list of 99 of birds that Southwest Minnesota bird watchers will benefit to know by sight.   DOWNLOAD: 99birds

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Bird Feed Guide

Selecting a bird feeder should be an easy task, however, there are an increasing number of choices of feeders, and many companies are designing feeders to “attract” a specific species. To complicate matters, an increasing variety of choices of bird feed are commercially available. Feeling the burden of too many choices? The two charts accessible […]

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Fruiting Shrubs Chart

There are several beneficial shrubs that provide fruit for migrating (or summer nesting) species. Many of these shrubs have another benefit in that the spring flowers attract insects, which in turn attract insect-eating birds. The chart accessed through the link below provides brief information about selected shrubs considered beneficial to bird species. Included in the […]

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Bird Migration dates

Before Spring has sprung its time to prepare for the arrival of waves of bird species that may visit your backyard, or rural environment. The link below opens a chart that lists migration dates for the most common species that may visit our yards and acreages, and what they may be looking for. Keep in […]

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