Warroad is the perfect spot for birding enthusiasts to complete their birding checklists. The Lake of the Woods shoreline is easily scanned from atop the observation tower or the drive up nature viewing area located on the north side of the Warroad Point Park. The Lake of the Woods area is home to almost 300 species of birds, including water species such as loons, Canadian geese, tundra swans, herons, white pelicans, piping plovers, terns and mallards. Just to the west of Warroad is the Roseau Bog, a birding “hotspot” featuring Wilson’s phalarope, sharp-tailed sparrow, gyrfalcon, northern hawk owl, snowy owl and winter finches.
Some
of our area’s familiar bird friends include sparrows, robins,
orioles, black-backed woodpeckers, vireos, juncos, red wing black
birds, chickadees, and hummingbirds. Birds of prey can also be
seen in the Warroad area and include the bald eagle, turkey vulture,
and great gray and snowy owls.
Warroad serves as the northern most point for Minnesota’s
first official birding trail called the Pine-to-Prairie Birding Trail. This trail offers unique bird watching opportunities along
the 223 mile corridor traveling through state parks, wildlife
refuges, wetlands and prairies before reaching its southern end
in Fergus Falls. Over 270 different species of birds can be viewed
along this trail.
Local
Birding Reports:
We hope that local birding enthusiasts will submit their
sightings to add to this webpage by emailing wcoc@wiktel.com.
Scenic Drives
Mom's
Way
www.momsway.com
Discover a route less taken and experience spectacular scenery perfect for touring. The MOM’s Way takes you on a route from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay traveling through Minnesota, Ontario, and Manitoba. The MOM’s Way travels the famous route of the first fur traders on the original east-west highway. The 400 mile route connects you with 10 communities along its international route. For a route brochure contact the Warroad Area Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-328-4455 or visit their website at www.momsway.com.
Waters of the Dancing Sky Scenic Byway
www.watersofthedancingsky.org
The
Waters of the Dancing Sky Scenic Byway route tracks the Minnesota-Canada
border for nearly half of its length. As the route’s name
suggests, this northern byway offers night time visitors an excellent
chance of seeing the magnificent Aurora Borealis, better known
as the Northern Lights. The route touches the shore of the vast
Lake of the Woods and ends in Rainy Lake.
Wildflower
Route
The Wildflower Route on Highway 11 spanning from Greenbush to
Baudette contains an estimated 800,000 Showy Lady Slippers - the
Minnesota State Flower. The Minnesota DNR estimates there
are more than two million orchids along the 75-mile stretch.
Orchids start blossoming around the first of May all the way to
mid-September. In addition to the Showy Lady Slipper, some
of the native wildflowers that can be found along the route
include, among others: the Yellow Lady Slipper, Blue Eye
Grass, Blue Flag Iris, Wood Lilies, Prairie Rose, and Meadow
Rue. To increase
public awareness of this unique area and its flowers, the Williams
Garden Club stakes flowers along the route and hosts an Annual Wildflower Celebration each June.
For more information contact the Warroad Area Chamber of Commerce
at 218-386-3543 or check our Wildflowers Page
