It was a late hot afternoon and we were excited to go feed animals at the park. As the animals were feeding especially the hippos and buffalos, we noticed some interesting birds that were perched at the backs of the animals. Other birds walked and flew around the park. Further on, we noticed a couple describing the birds. Later we learned they are birders. I learned of passerines and non-passerines birds that day.
Well, Birders are persons who love observing birds for leisure. And birding is when one goes to watch the birds while at their habitations. There are many remarkable parks in the world that host various birds. Let’s visually visit these places together. Carry your latest binoculars, spotter guide, camera and visit the following best national parks for birding.
1. Big Bend National Park
It is a park with various ecosystems in the location. It is a unique park with a blend of plant, bats, birds, plants and much more. Many birds live here or stop by on their migration routes. The northern birds migrate for the warm winter climate. Tropical birds fly in during spring and reside at the park. This attracts many birders to see the different birds they've not seen in a while especially the ones traversing the plains.
The park is located in west Texas, with awesome rich cultural history from way back in years. This park has great diversity due to the desert mountain, desert springs, and its rivers. Birds that you will find in the park include the band-tailed pigeon flammulated owl green kingfisher, crissal thrasher, and black-chinned sparrow. Colima Warbler is a Mexican species and one of the main birds breeding in this park.
2. Point Reyes National Seashore
It is a national reserve in Marin County, California. Right at the seashore and the national park service maintains the park as a nature preserve. It is one area to watch birds as the great habitat harbors a variety of bird life because of its diversity.
Over 400 avian species are found within the area.
The estuaries, coastal shrubs, open fields, and forest lures migrating birds. The peninsula projection that jets to the sea, has been an ideal landing spot for birds. Migrating birds take a rest on this spot as they cross the oceans.
Birds are protected in this area, more so the beautiful western snowy plover bird which is an endangered species.
3. Padre Island Nation
This haven is located in a unique habitation for bird watching by birders. It has many birds species compared to other parks. It is usually full of life in fall, winter and early spring. This is when birds flock the park as they migrate across the world and abode at the reserve. Birds are both at the wetlands harbor at the shore and on the island.
The brown pelicans are a spectacular sight to watch as they gracefully dive after the fish in the water. However, they are endangered species together with the peregrine falcon and the nice piping plover
The island is a world-class destination for the vibrant habitat within the shoreline.
4. Olympic National Park
It has a great habitat variety. The rainforest, sea coast, mountaintops describe the park. Lots of birds visit this place either seasonally or permanent residents. Others stop for a rest and get something to eat as they migrate. Definitely, the birders are in for a treat as it the ideal birding destination.
Sooty grouse birds are seen on the barren mountains meadows others include, humans gull that fish along the shoreline, red-naped sapsucker picks through the ferns, the rare marbled murrelet is also found in Olympic park. The warble bird is found in the forest singing cheerfully. Others include bald eagle, common ravens, steller's jay and red crossbill. The list is endless.
5. Lake Mead National park
This is a manmade lake at the middle of the famous Mojave Desert. Its creation has really made a huge change in the bird life around the place and for birders too. It hosts more than 200 species of birds. The varied habitat holds many birds migrating through the north-south migration route.
The built davis and hoover dams hold vast water that attracts birds more so the shorebirds. Consequently, vegetation developed along the dams and an ideal feeding ground was birthed for insects. The insects are eaten by the insect-eating birds who live there.
Birds seen around the lake include the black-tailed gnatcatcher, mallard, western grebe, common mergansers, yellow-headed blackbirds and the hummingbird too.
6. Death Valley National Park
This is it definitely it, a land with extremes yet with a remarkable contrast. It is the hottest and driest park and one full of birds. The furnace creek area is the unique spot hosting more than 300 different species.
A lot of migratory birds are routed in the valley and stop at the mountains and oases. Most warbler birds migrate through in the spring amongst other species of birds. Nesting bird's nest around the same time and then the fall migration begins in August as the birds head southwards. When winter hits in birds are few just the residents that are present.
7. Gateway National Recreation Area
Most birds along this place are migrating birds heading along the Atlantic flyway. It hosts over 325 species of birds.
It is a park rich in nature with salt marshes and maritime forest making it ideal for shorebirds. The large fields further on and waterways host an extensive variety of feathered birds. There is always something for everyone at the gateway park right behind your backyard at the city.
The piping plover is a bird found in the park and are endangered species that are protected within the park. Other include blue herons, tree swallow, green heron, and ruddy duck amongst others.
8. Biscayne National Park
It is a park with many activities of marine but still, more than 100 species of birds reside around the park.
Home for: white ibis, yellow-billed cuckoo, brown pelicans. At the birding trails entrance, you will find yellow-crowned night herons. Northern mockingbirds are a thrill to see. The mangrove cuckoos are largely populated in the park. Shorebirds are found at the shoreline during winter. Along the Biscayne Park, there are other watching spots with unique birds due to the unique habitats at the points.
At jones, lagoon are numerous nesting colonies, at black point wading birds and others are seen at the mangrove.
9. Joshua Tree National Park
This park hosts over 200 species of beautiful birds. Migration is also experienced in this park as birds migrate during fall time. Transient birds include birds of prey like the rough-legged hawks, osprey and swainson's hawks have been documented at this park. You will not miss the nesters and residents birds such as the mockingbirds, greater roadrunner, verdin, and mourning dove with several more.
Several sights within the park host various birds. At the barker dam, black rock canyon and cottonwood spring you will find swallows, pacific slopes flycatchers, la conte's kinglets and others.
10. Grand Teton National park
Migratory birds are the birds found in the parkway at the park. They reside for about 6 months. Birds you will find include woodpeckers, bluebirds, calliope hummingbird, northern flickers and others. The largest waterfowl in North America is found there. Also, the most colorful bird western tanager is found there. And in winter the courting sage grouse is seen in the sagebrush community. The male is a spectacular sight as it attracts the female.
The bald eagles hunt near water and nest near water so are the osprey birds. Look out for these birds as they catch fish as they use their talons.
Final Words:
I realized birding is such a sport and educational too. And many travel companies organize for excursions in most of these places. Guides are also available to help one search for even the most hidden of birds. These destinations blend well with the animals and other habitats balancing the natural ecosystems.
Birding does not really need one to know the scientific names, but also see the beauty in the national parks. Birding allows one to feed the birds and watch them closely in quietness. It cultivates ones patients and calmness as you connect with nature and the melodies of the birds.
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I am Robert Redford, A hunting enthusiast and I have more than 9 years of hunting experience. I have created this blog in order to share my research and experience with those who love hunting and shooting so much. I devote most of the time creating research-based product recommended to you for an easy pick among multiple options.