Recreational Bird Watching (Birding)
Whether you are a novice or an expert, the Superior is a great place to hone your birding skills. With a list of 225 bird regularly seen in the Forest including 163 which nest here, you can see why it has been labeled a Globally Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.
This page contains links to tools which will help you locate birds and cross some off your personal checklist. Our Bird Conservation and Monitoring page has links to projects in which our Forest biologists are engaged to help our bird populations.
As with most animals, habitat is crucial for birds. The Superior is shaped by fire and water, creating a mosaic of habitat which ranges from stands of old growth pine to bogs and meadows. It is a large area of about 3 million acres, most of which is under public ownership allowing access to many good birding areas. About 90% of the Superior is in natural vegetation: forests, shrublands (including harvest sites), and wetlands like bogs, marshes, and fens. Another 9% of the landscape is water - 2,000 permanent lakes and ponds and innumerable vernal pools. Its forests are a mixture of the northern boreal forest types and the southern deciduous forest types; many species are near the edge of their range on the Superior. The Lake Superior shore on the eastern edge of the Forest provides a unique opportunity for birding along a major migratory flyway where sightings can include seabirds far from their usual homes.
The Superior National Forest is truly a superior place for birding. It is recognized by the American Bird Conservancy as a Globally Important Bird Area, one of 500 in the United States. Audubon Minnesota also identifies it as an Important Bird Area in Minnesota. Located at the boundary between boreal and eastern hardwood forest types, the Superior has a wide variety of habitats which support 155 nesting species of birds and 220 species with regular occurrences. Adding to the variety of its forest ecosystem are wetlands ranging from peat bogs to the Superior’s namesake lake at its eastern border.
East Zone Birding Guide - Grand Marais and Tofte
View the East Zone Birding Map
Point | Season: S - Summer / W - Winter | Habitat |
| 1 | S, W | Fire disturbed |
| 2 | S | conifer forest |
| 3 | S | bog |
| 4 | W | bog, plowed road |
| 5 | S | bog |
| 6 | S | conifer forest |
| 7 | S | Fire disturbed |
| 8 | S | young forest |
| 9 | S | young forest |
| 10 | S | lakes |
| 11 | S | lakes |
| 12 | S | mixed forest |
| 13 | S | mixed forest, riparian, plowed road |
| 14 | S | hardwoods |
| 15 | S | hardwoods |
| 16 | S | hardwoods |
| 17 | S | riparian |
| 18 | S, W | bog |
| 19 | S | conifer forest |
| 20 | S | lakes |
| 21 | S, W | lakes, plowed road, town |
| 22 | S | conifer forest |
| 23 | S | riparian |
| 24 | S, W | bog |
| 25 | S | hardwoods |
| 26 | S | young forest, plowed road |
| 27 | S | mixed forest |
| 28 | S | riparian |
| 29 | S | lakes |
| 30 | S, W | Fire disturbed |
| 31 | S | Fire disturbed |
| 32 | S | |
| 33 | S | conifer forest |
| 34 | S | bog |
| 35 | W | plowed road |
| 36 | W | town |
What Birds and Where
Fire Disturbed Locations
Look for mourning warblers, white-throated sparrows, dark-eyed junco and black-backed woodpeckers. You might also find three-toed woodpeckers, or olive-sided flycatchers.
2. Greenwood Fire Area — 2021 wildfire viewed from McDougal Lake Campground and CR2.
7. Pagami Fire Area— 2011 wildfire which crossed the Tomahawk Road FR377.
30. Upper Gunflint / Magnetic Rock Tr — Road stops along Gunflint Trail: see forest regenerating after 2007 Ham Lake wildfire.
31. Kekekabic Trail — Hike trail to see diverse post-fire habitats.
Mixed Forest (Aspen/Birch or Aspen/Spruce Fir)
Look for Nashville warbler, black-throated green warbler, magnolia warbler, Swainson’s thrush, ruffed grouse, American woodcock, least flycatcher, Canada warbler. You might find northern goshawk, black-billed cuckoo, Cape May warbler, northern saw-whet owl.
12. Hoist Lake Road FR358 — Drive west following FR 358, FR359, FR361, FR362 to FR172.
13. Cramer Rd CR7 — From Finland to FR171 north to Harriet Lake.
27. Shoe Lake Rd FR313 — Drive loop from Greenwood Lake Rd to Arrowhead Trail, and south to Hwy 61.
Riparian Shrub
Look for alder flycatcher, common yellowthroat, Wilson’s snipe, swamp sparrow, yellow warbler, or cedar waxwing. You might find Wilson’s warbler, golden-winged warbler or Philadelphia vireo.
17. The Grade FR170 (West) — start here and follow FR170 east.
13. Cramer Rd CR7 — From Finland to FR171 north to Harriet Lake.
23. Bally Creek Rd FR158 — Good stops along road or hike along Superior Hiking Trail.
28. Lima Triangle — Famous birding spot; explore dense shrub habitat around Triangle: Lima Grade Rd FR152 to FR315 (fork going north) or FR152 (fork going south) for excellent views of coniferous wetlands.
Conifer Forest (Red and White Pine, White Spruce, Balsam Fir
Look for red-breasted nuthatch, Blackburnian warbler, blue-headed vireo, hermit thrush or northern parula. You might find pine warbler, eastern wood pewee, evening grosbeak or red crossbill.
2. Mitawan Lake Rd CR702 — old-growth red and white pine north to Grouse and Mitawan Lakes.
6. Eighteen Lake — Public landing and hiking trail around lake.
19. Sawbill Lake — Public landing. Also see Point 17 (The Grade FR170 West).
22. George Washington Pines — Hiking in summer, cross-country skiing in winter. 33. Trail's End — Walk campground loop with mature white pines.
Young Forest (Deciduous and Coniferous)
Look for Nashville warbler, mourning warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, veery, white throated sparrow, and American woodcock. You might find golden-winged warbler.
8. Dumbbell River Road FR174 — Head south from point to intersection with FR172.
9. Trappers Lk Road FR369 — Head west from point on FR369 or follow CR7 north.
26. Greenwood Lake Rd FR309— Views of recent harvests with reserve areas and scattered trees.
32. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center— Trails through several different habitats, usually nesting loons in spring. Partially burned in 2007.
Lakes and Lakeshore
Look for bald eagle, common loon, belted kingfisher, common merganser, trumpeter swan. You might find osprey, northern waterthrush, hooded merganser, common goldeneye, merlin.
11. Hogback Lake — Hiking trails to Scarp and Lupus Lakes.
10. Whitefish Lake — View from landing or canoe to Elbow, Timber and Frear Lakes.
20. Crescent Lake — Public landing. Or drive east along FR170 to Lichen, Gust or Cascade Lakes.
21. Grand Marais — Excellent views of Superior from the waterfront park or campground marina.
29. Clearwater Rd CH22— Many small lakes and wetlands viewable close-up from this road; public boat launch.
Hardwood Forest
Look for ovenbird, black-and-white warbler, rosebreasted grosbeak, yellow-bellied sapsucker, pileated woodpecker. You might find black-throated blue warbler, scarlet tanager, wood thrush, greatcrested flycatcher.
14. Heartbreak Hill — This point and all of the ‘600 Road’ FR166 from Sawbill Tr CR2 to CR7.
15. Oberg Mountain — Onion River Rd FR336 and hiking trails to Oberg and LeVeaux Mountains.
16. Honeymoon Trail FR164— From point go east and follow FR164 about 10 miles to intersections with the Caribou Trail CR4.
25. Trout Lake Rd FR140— Stop along road or boat around any of the Lakes. Mature sugar maple stands reachable from Kadunce Hunter-Walking Trails.
Bogs (Open and Forested)
Look for Canada jay, yellowbellied flycatcher, goldencrowned kinglet, yellow-rumped warbler, palm warbler, Lincoln’s sparrow, winter wren. You might find boreal chickadee, spruce grouse, boreal owl, great gray owl, Connecticut warbler, white-winged crossbill.
3. Stony River Grade FR380 — Follow old railroad grade from point southwest to CR15.
5. Whyte Road Bog FR102— Off-trail hiking north from the Whyte Road FR102 into an open bog, also great site for dragonflies. Experienced navigators only.
18. Plouff Creek — This point and driving east or west along CR3.
24. The Grade FR170 (East) — Excellent driving route in summer and winter.
34. Bog Boardwalk — A floating boardwalk into the bog. It can be submerged in high water
Fire Disturbed Landscapes
Look for black-backed and three-toed woodpeckers, downy, and hairy woodpeckers, northern hawk owls.
1. Greenwood Fire Area — 2021 wildfire viewed from McDougal Lake campground and CR2.
30. Upper Gunflint/Magnetic Rock Trail — Multiple fires have left their mark here. 2007 Ham Lake fire was the most recent.
Bogs (Open and Forested)
Look for great gray owl, hawk owl, boreal chickadee, Canada jay, golden-crowned kinglet, spruce grouse.
4. MN Highway 1 — Between Finland and Isabella.
18. Plouff Creek — Driving east or west along CR3.
24. The Grade FR170 — Between points 17 and 24.
Plowed Roads
Look for red and white-winged crossbills, pine grosbeak, common redpolls, purple finches, pine siskins and Bohemian waxwings. You might find hoary redpolls, northern shrike, spruce grouse and great gray owls.
4. MN Highway 1 — Between Hwy 61 and Isabella.
13. Cramer Rd CR7 — Finland north to road’s end.
35. Sawbill Trail CR2 — Between Tofte and Sawbill Lake. Check north end for spruce grouse.
26. Greenwood Lake Rd FR309— Usually plowed; also Shoe Lake Rd FR313 typically plowed 5-10 miles.
Towns
Berry Producing Trees
Look for Bohemian waxwings, cedar waxwings, pine grosbeaks. You might find northern cardinals.
35. Tofte Park — Waxwings visit the berry trees between the park and Bluefin Resort.
21. Grand Marais — Drive or walk down many of the residential streets in town and you are likely to encounter mountain ash and other berry producing shrubs and trees.
West Zone Birding Guide - Aurora, Cook, Ely
What Birds and Where
Fire Disturbed Landscapes
Look for black-backed woodpeckers, mourning warblers. You might find three-toed woodpeckers, northern hawk owls, olive-sided flycatchers.
1. Pagami Creek—Large wildfire at end of Tomahawk Road (Forest Road 377)
2. Foss Lake—Wildfire on south end of Crab Lake accessed from Burntside Lake portage to Crab Lake
3. Pitcha Pine—Fire in pines by Highways 1 and 2
Mixed Forest
Look for broad-winged hawks, Canada and blackthroated green warblers, golden-crowned kinglets, rose-breasted grosbeak. You might find northern goshawks, northern saw-whet owl.
4. Burntside Armpit—Portage between Burntside Lake’s North Arm and West Twin Lake
5. Bass Lake Trail—Trailhead on Echo Trail
6. Vermilion Gorge Trail—Trailhead in Crane Lake
7. White Pine Picnic Area—Old growth white pine forest off Highway 2
Riparian Shrub
Look for alder flycatchers, common yellowthroats, American goldfinch. You might find golden-winged and Wilson’s warblers, clay-colored sparrows.
8. Stoney River—Lowland shrubs near rest stop at the intersection of Highways 1 and 2
9. Pelican River—Follows Elephant Lake Road (CR180) for several miles
10. Island River—Crosses the Tomahawk Road (Forest Road 377) on the east end
Ponds and Marshes
Look for waterfowl, American bitterns, sora rails, marsh wrens, great blue herons. You might find Virginia rails, American coots.
11. Stub Lake Trail—End of 1-mile trail accessed from Fall Lake Campground
12. Pat Zac Impoundment—Great spot for waterfowl on Bug Creek Trail.
13. Big Rice Lake—Boat landing on Pfeiffer Lake Road off Highway 1 towards Cook
14. Old Koshak Farm—State trails off Highway 88
Young Forest (Deciduous and Coniferous)
Look for chestnut-sided, mourning, and Nashville warblers. You might find golden-winged warblers.
15. Spruce Road—Young mixed stands with mature pine leave trees in several locations
16. Nigh Creek Road (Forest Road 471)—Several young stands, road is just south of Jeanette Lake
Lakes and Lakeshore
Look for common loons, bald eagles, common mergansers, northern waterthrushes. You might find trumpeter swans, ospreys, belted kingfishers, merlins.
17. Fall Lake—Campground off Fernberg Trail
18. Birch Lake—Campground at end of Little Lake Road off Highway 1
19. Lake Vermilion—Boat landing off County Road 24
Bogs (Open and Forested)
Look for boreal chickadees, spruce grouse, ruby-crowned kinglets, gray jays. You might find boreal and great gray owls, Connecticut and Tennessee warblers, white-winged crossbills.
20. Ed Shave Bog—Park at boat landing and walk the road for a chance to see red crossbills along the Echo Trail
21. Greenwood Lake Bog—Access from boat landing off Highway 2
22. Whyte Road Open Bog—Off-trail hiking north from the Whyte Road yields an exceptional open bog, also great site for Odonates. Experienced, well-fit navigators only (UTM coordinates: Zone 15 614644E, 5261137N).
23. Stoney Grade Trail—Unofficial trail on old railroad siding
Fire Disturbed Landscapes
Look for black-backed woodpeckers. You might find three-toed woodpeckers, northern hawk owls
3. Pitcha Pine—Fire in pines by Highways 1 and 2
24. Highway 11—Wildfire in old growth white pine forest
Bogs (Open and Forested)
Look for boreal chickadees, gray jays. You might find boreal and great gray owls, white-winged crossbills.
26. Highways 1 and 2—Northern hawk and great gray owls are occasionally seen perched. Spruce grouse frequent the young pine stand south of Spruce Road.
27. Echo Trail—Red crossbills occasionally seen gathered on roadway near conifers
Town
Berry Producing Trees
Look for bohemian waxwings, cedar waxwings. You might find northern cardinals.
Ely, Aurora, Cook— Drive down many of the residential streets in local towns looking for birds on mountain ash, choke cherry, and other berry producing shrubs