Top 5 Birding Hot Spots in the US With a Social Focus

Whether you’ve only just taken up birding or you’re a seasoned pro, there is more to birding in the United States than just spotting the dazzling array of species on display, for us, it’s also about sharing the experience with others. With that in mind, we’ve handpicked our top five birding destinations in the country that combine social experiences such as guided walks, pioneering conservation programs, and famous birding watching events and festivals that make for the perfect avian-themed adventure away. 

Discover Why Residents Have Made Birding a Team Sport in Audubon, New Jersey 

We kick off our list of the best socially themed birdwatching experiences in the US by heading to Audubon, New Jersey, and the epicenter of the World Series of Birding held each May. Drawing in more than 90 teams from across the state, World Series of Birding participants are charged with tallying up as many different avian species they can spot from Cape May to the Delaware Bayshore, with the added incentive of raising money for local habitat protections. 

Outside of this legendary 24-hour competition, Audubon also offers a warm welcome to birders from all across the world, with inspiring guided walks, captivating seasonal events, and, for kids ages 11-17, the chance to join its Young Birders Club. Undoubtedly benefiting from Cape May’s unique peninsula geography, the region is a hub for dramatic spring migration fallouts and is also home to one of the longest-running birding festivals in the US, held here every fall.  

Top 5 Birds to Spot in Audubon & Cape May: 

• Red Knot 

• Peregrine Falcon 

• Black Skimmer 

• Piping Plover 

• Yellow-breasted Chat 

Plan a memorable birding getaway to Audubon, New Jersey, home of the illustrious World Series of Birding, and make the trip even more special by staying at the Best Western Philadelphia South – West Deptford Inn. 

Witness the Spectacular Bird Migrations with the Chicago Skyline as Your Backdrop in Illinois  

Our next top birding hotspot in the US known for its highly social engagements is Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, on the lakeside shoreline of Chicago, Illinois. Once a Cold War missile site, the sanctuary opened as a protected bird habitat and is now fondly nicknamed “The Magic Hedge” by locals, which actively welcomes visitors and fellow birders all year round. 

Here at the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, you can join an early morning birding walk or head out in the evening to see its resident piping plovers framed by a stunning Chicago sunset in the distance. With peak seasonal migrations in May and September, you’ll soon see the appeal of joining in with other like-minded birders to spot as many of the 349 recorded species noted to frequent the site’s honeysuckle plantings on your visit to this incredible uptown preserve in Lincoln Park. 

Top 5 Birds to Spot at the Bird Sanctuary at Montrose Point in Chicago: 

• Chestnut-sided Warbler 

• LeConte’s Sparrow 

• Northern Saw-whet Owl 

• Snowy Owl 

• Lincoln’s Sparrow 

Discover Chicago’s famous bird migration site of Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary by joining other birdwatchers to spot several rare species before unwinding at the Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace Hotel. 

Join in the Celebrations at Tucson’s Desert Oasis Birding Festival in Tucson, Arizona 

We head next to Tucson, Arizona, on a quest to find the best socially themed birding experiences in the US and the 1.75 miles of winding paths of the Sweetwater Wetlands in the Sonoran Desert. For out-of-town birders, the devoted members of the Tucson Bird Alliance offer visitors a fascinating insight into the human-made wetland environment that is now home to more than 300 bird species on weekly guided walks every Wednesday. 

Open to visitors of all ages and at any time of year, residents actively encourage guests to explore the rich biodiversity of the Sweetwater Wetlands by attending one of its many photography workshops to ensure you capture the perfect souvenir of your visit. However, in addition to these expert-led field trips, the Tucson Bird Alliance also hosts and organizes the annual Southeast Arizona Birding Festival every August, which is open to social bird watchers and wildlife photographers alike.  

Top 5 Birds to Spot in Tucson: 

• Vermilion Flycatcher 

• Abert’s Towhee 

• Lucy’s Warbler 

• Greater Roadrunner 

• Mexican Duck 

Join passionate birders from around the world in Tucson, Arizona, at the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival and elevate your stay at the Best Western Gold Poppy Inn. 

Bird Spot the Majestic Raptors Riding the Thermals Above Duluth, Minnesota 

Famed for its sizeable population of native and migratory birds of prey, our next top destination on our socially energized birding hotspot shortlist sees us heading to the Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve overlooking Lake Superior outside of Duluth, Minnesota. Once you get here, you’ll soon see why the region is a social hub for birding enthusiasts, particularly between August and November, as more than 65,000 birds soar above the picturesque nature reserve on their journey south for the winter. 

In fact, this world-renowned raptor migration corridor is so prevalent during peak periods that it led to the formation of the wildly popular Hawk Weekend Festival, which includes daily counts, bird banding, and guided hikes. Furthermore, for visitors keen to participate, the top-notch staff at the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory warmly welcome guests to join in with bird-watching events such as their Live Spring Count, which helps to monitor the bird populations throughout the year. 

Top 5 Birds to Spot in Duluth: 

• Broad-winged Hawk 

• Golden Eagle 

• Northern Goshawk 

• Rough-legged Hawk 

• Great Gray Owl 

Capture unforgettable wildlife photos in Duluth, Minnesota, as Golden Eagles and Broad-winged Hawks glide overhead before returning to the comfort of the Best Western Bridgeview Hotel. 

Observe the Tropical Treasures at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge Outside Alamo, Texas  

Our final top destination for social birding experiences in the US comes with a tropical twist as we head to the distinctive Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge located on the shores of the Rio Grande. Boasting one of the highest ranges of bird diversity in the country, the Texan subtropical sanctuary offers birders a vivid array of native and migratory species. 

In fact, an appealing benefit of visiting this biodiverse birding hotspot is that you can meet up with local birders to explore the assorted trails and observation towers to learn when and where to spot the colorful avian variations on offer. Alternatively, you and your family and friends can join a fantastic expert-guided tour that details the types of birds on show that make this incredibly unique wetland environment in the Lower Rio Grande Valley so prestigious. 

Top 5 Birds to Spot at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge: 

• Green Jay 

• Plain Chachalaca 

• Great Kiskadee 

• Hook-billed Kite 

• Tropical Parula 

Wander through the subtropical wetlands at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and enhance your adventure with a night at the Best Western McAllen Medical Center in McAllen, Texas.