Bird Watching

Northland Arboretum - Important Bird Area (IBA)

This IBA is a 634 acre site encompassing the Northland Arboretum, 160 acres of The Nature Conservancy, 80 acres of Crow Wing County land, and state land managed by the DNR Fisheries. This site is a green space in the rapidly developing Brainerd area, with a 136 bird species, including 24 vieros and warbler, and 53 likely breeders.

This IBA has a mosaic of habitats including grasslands and restored prairie, jack pine forest, wetlands, a stream, shrub bog and of special importance, a 200 acre jack pine savanna.

Bird Species

Northern harrier, Sandhill crane, Clay-colored sparrow, Vesper sparrow, Savannah sparrow, LeConte's sparrow, Red-shouldered hawk, and Black-billed cuckoo have been documented in this IBA. There is an active eagle nest located on the state land on the edge of the marsh.

Location

Found on the north side of Brainerd behind the Westgate Mall and bordered on the west by the Paul Bunyan Trail.

Other Areas

Connect with the DNR to find more bird watching areas.