{"id":2899,"date":"2014-05-10T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-05-10T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/birdhousesupply.com\/?p=2899"},"modified":"2017-05-19T19:36:51","modified_gmt":"2017-05-19T19:36:51","slug":"the-usas-best-birding-destinations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/birdhousesupply.com\/blog\/the-usas-best-birding-destinations\/","title":{"rendered":"The USA\u2019s Best Birding Destinations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For most of the year bird watching means looking out the window and relaxing in the backyard. We set out our mini-ecology support stations and welcome in our feathered neighbors. Everything \u201ccool\u201d is local and our bird feeders<\/a>, waterers<\/a> and nesting houses<\/a> embrace a stunning array of avian species. Being a static birder is the easiest and most relevant way to be a hands-on environmental helper.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n A birder is always \u201con patrol\u201d for ornithological experiences (while pulling weeds in the garden, your author witnessed bald eagles, juvenile and adults, languidly pushing their way towards the west!). And each one is an amazing treat. But, there is nothing quite like travel.<\/p>\n Mark Twain informs us that:<\/p>\n \u201cTravel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness… Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Well, you really can\u2019t argue with that. Fill up those feeders and dust off the suitcase\u2026it\u2019s time to expand the mind and pound the birder trail!<\/p>\n When choosing birding areas consider geography and climate.<\/p>\n Birds choose the area to be in based on resources, weather and the season that best provides what they need. Weather can bring unexpected visitors such as the pelagic or tropical birds that often pop up after hurricanes.<\/p>\n While many species readily overlap into areas, don\u2019t think of birding as visiting states. Birds don\u2019t! Plan your trip to encompass ranges such as the Florida Panhandle, the Smoky Mountains, Delta wetlands, barrier islands, prairie, migration wetlands or the basin of the Rio Grande.<\/strong> The best birding sites are in every state. There are too many to mention \u2013 really. Let’s keep that fact going and continue to expand the resources for wildlife!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ahhh, the ruddy swathes of sweeping sandstone the Navajo called home, the overwhelming grandeur of buttes and the pignon pines and iconic saguaro, if you can tear your eyes away from the humbling landscape, you won\u2019t miss out on the birds.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Visit the home of Coyote\u2019s nemesis, Roadrunner, and witness the spectacular silhouettes of golden eagles. If you are planning your trip don\u2019t forget Arizona\u2019s \u201cSouthwest Wings\u201d<\/a> festival.<\/p>\n * Birds: Great Kiskadee, Chachalacas, Green Jay, Cactus Wren, wood-warblers, larks, owls, eagles and so many more!<\/p>\n <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The corridor encompasses coastal, central wetlands, mountains and prairie from Alaska to the Gulf. The Audubon Society promotes and maintains the Flyways hotspots while canvassing to increase protected areas (most recently the Galveston Bay and Wyoming sagebrush nesting grounds). Visit the Audubon Central Flyway<\/a> site to get ideas (waning: steady yourself for some amazing reads) and keep track of current ornithological posts.<\/p>\n Follow the Priority List<\/a> and learn about the birds pictured. Join their \u201ccall to action\u201d and get an idea of what you can do to help the birds AND their habitats.<\/p>\n * Some species: the iconic Greater Sage Grouse and Lesser Prairie Chicken, Mountain Bluebird, Sage Thrasher, Snowy Owl, Trumpeter Swan, American Woodcock, Brant, Grasshopper Sparrow and the Whooping Crane.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Overwhelmed yet?<\/p>\n But… we haven\u2019t even pecked at the surface of the bird watching meccas?!<\/p>\n Isn\u2019t that something to crow about!<\/p>\n We never want to be able to list all the wildlife locales \u2013 let\u2019s keep growing these ecological settings – we can never have too much wilderness!<\/p>\n In the words of John Muir:<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For most of the year bird watching means looking out the window and relaxing in the backyard. We set out our mini-ecology support stations and welcome in our feathered neighbors. Everything \u201ccool\u201d is local and our bird feeders, waterers and nesting houses embrace a stunning array of avian species. Being a static birder is the … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2903,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nBest Birdwatching Destinations<\/h2>\n
Southwest and West<\/h3>\n
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Northwest<\/h3>\n
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Central Flyway Corridor<\/h3>\n
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Northeast<\/h3>\n
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Mid-Atlantic<\/h3>\n
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South<\/h3>\n
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