Top Destinations to See the Spring Bird Migration in North America

From the glittering shores of the Great Lakes to the towering bluffs along the Mississippi River, spring undoubtedly marks one of the greatest spectacles on earth as the colorful bird migrations navigate their way north during the season. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or you would love a nature-themed family vacation, with an insightful educational twist – we’ve curated our top five spring birding migration hotspots across North America that need to be seen to be believed.

Soar with Raptors Across the Sands at the Indiana Dunes State Park on the Indiana/ Illinois Borders

A fantastic spot for year-round birding, our first top spring-oriented bird spotting destination in North America sees us heading to Indiana Dunes State Park, which reaches a vibrant peak at this time of year. Popular with families and solo travelers, this picturesque state park is ideal for spotting broad-winged hawks and Peregrine Falcons hovering over the dunes, while radiant songbirds like the foraging Scarlet Tanagers can be found darting through the prairie grasses and cottonwoods below.

When you’re here in spring, another pivotal attraction is just a short walk away at the Great Marsh Trail, which immerses guests in a wetland setting alive with Mallards and Wood Ducks that like to weave in and out of the reeds. Perhaps the best time to come is at sunrise as the migrating Sandhill Cranes greet each morning with a trumpeting call, as tens of thousands of Blue Jays swirl overhead.

Witness the epic spring flyway at Indiana Dunes State Park, then settle in for a restful night at the Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace Hotel in Chicago, Illinois.

Take a Stroll to Spot Migrating Shorebirds on the Peninsulas & Coastal Points of Traverse City, Michigan

If you’re on a quest for a spring migration bird spotting experience paired with breathtaking views, then our next top birding destination in North America has to be the peninsulas and coastal inlets in and around Traverse City, Michigan. Here, we highly recommend exploring Old Mission Peninsula which serves as a dazzling highway stopover for migrating birds every year, which includes Prairie Warblers and American Black Ducks.

With a formidable choice of locations to seek out migrating songbirds and waterfowl, we’d also recommend visiting the lively Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve, whose boardwalks wind through the lush reeds where you can spot Virginia Rails and hear the whistle-like calls of the Soras. In fact, throughout spring, the region’s marshes are buzzing with colorful wildlife and motion, which makes Traverse City a first-class destination to view the seasonal bird migration.

Track the awe-inspiring annual bird movement along Traverse City’s peninsulas and enjoy a peaceful evening’s rest every night by booking your stay at the Best Western Plus Traverse City, Michigan.

Witness the Majestic Avian Spring Migration Along the Shores of the Mississippi in La Crescent, Minnesota.

Up next on our incredible shortlist of the top spots to watch this season’s migratory sightings, we head to the bluffs of La Crescent, Minnesota, renowned for its dramatic river views and spectacular North American spring migrations. Here, you and your family can pick out the wild Northern Harriers that hover effortlessly over the wetlands, while the surrounding forests contain a heady mix of Wood Thrushes and colorful Indigo Buntings stopping off midway through their journey north.

Whether you are traveling solo or vacationing with your friends, while you’re in town, be sure to pay a visit to the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge, which has an abundance of Blue-winged Teal and Yellow-throated Vireos at this time of year. For birders with an early morning disposition, another top tip when on the banks of the Upper Mississippi is to head to the shoreline to capture the stunning sight of the native Bald Eagles hunting along the river corridor.

Follow the captivating avian displays along the banks of the Mississippi in La Crescent, Minnesota, this spring by reserving your stay at the Best Western Plus LaCrescent / LaCrosse..

Enjoy the Spectacle of the Spring Migration Bird Watching in Minocqua, Wisconsin

Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just a bird enthusiast who loves to capture photographs of nomadic birds in their temporary habitats, next on our shortlist of the best North American spring migration hotspots sees us reach Minocqua, Wisconsin. For those of you interested in the exhilarating battle of predator versus prey, Rainbow Flowage plays host to visiting Merlin falcons, which you can find soaring in the sky above on the hunt for their fellow migrating songbirds and sparrows each spring.

Incidentally, Rainbow Flowage is also popular with parents keen to encourage their kids to learn about nature, as it is also home to the migratory Northern Saw-whet Owl in its forested habitats as it heads north. However, a key time to visit has to be sunrise or sunset as the sight of regal Trumpeter Swans and animated Loons makes for an exceptional bird watching experience during this distinctive spring season.

Join in the excitement of spring’s bird migration as they take flight by booking a relaxing stay at the Best Western Plus Concord Inn in Minocqua, Wisconsin.

Wander Among the Avian Migratory Woodland Wonders Outside of French Lick, Indiana

Another great vacation destination rich with melodious migrating birds every spring is the Hoosier National Forest, and all along the Buffalo Trace Trail just outside French Lick, Indiana. Here, you and the family can stroll along the region’s woodland trails to spot Northern Parulas and Red-eyed Vireos and their vivid spring plumage that always adds a splash of color to the forest canopy.

Nearby, the serene Stillwater-Northfork Waterfowl Resting Area also welcomes visitors to wander around the protected reserve that acts as the temporary home for migrating Eastern Wood-Pewees and Brown Thrashers. However, don’t forget to pack your binoculars and waterproof footwear so you can truly explore the refuge’s extensive winding trails, as it makes for the perfect spring birdwatching adventure packed with birdsong and brilliant bursts of color.

Listen to the forest’s spellbinding seasonal bird migratory chorus by day, then unwind with a comfortable night’s sleep at the Best Western Plus French Lick, Indiana.