For most of North America, the birds of the boreal forest鈥攖he vast swath of spruce woods, bogs, and northern hardwoods stretching across the top of the continent鈥攁ppear only fleetingly, if they鈥檙e seen at all. You might find a flock of Common Redpolls feeding in a Minnesota field in January or a Blackburnian Warbler perched in a Tennessee treetop in May. But those moments are elusive, and some boreal birds never dip south. Take control of your destiny by heading north this summer to see these species where they nest and breed. You might hear the call of a Common Loon or the drumming of a Black-backed Woodpecker. Venture beyond the well-trodden boardwalks and pathways for a glimpse of the rare Bicknell鈥檚 Thrush. And while you鈥檙e traveling, there are plenty of other activities and attractions to explore. Paddle a kayak alongside beluga whales, search for seabirds on a whale-watching tour, visit craft breweries and museums, or even take a thrilling ride on a bobsled. You won鈥檛 be bored in the boreal.
Grail Bird
Spruce Grouse
This elegant bird can seem hard to find鈥攏ot because it鈥檚 shy but because it鈥檚 tame. Spruce Grouse may sit motionless as you walk by just a few feet away. Males sometimes stand along road edges at dawn, and hens with chicks prowl dirt roads and trails in midsummer.
5 Trips to Boreal Hotspots
Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, Maine
Established: 1973
Bird Species: 175
A diverse landscape of hills, shores, lakes, streams, and bogs makes Moosehorn a magnet for birds, including Spruce Grouse, Boreal Chickadees, and Blackburnian Warblers. Drive an hour south to the historic lighthouse at Quoddy Head State Park, the country鈥檚 easternmost point鈥攁nd a perfect lookout for scoping seabirds.
Adirondack Park, New York
Established: 1892
Bird Species: 200
Listen for the call of the Common Loon in the six-million-acre Adirondack Park. See Gray Jays, Mourning and Canada Warblers, and, with luck, even a Spruce Grouse or Black-backed Woodpecker. Hike high peaks like Wakely Mountain in pursuit of the rare Bicknell鈥檚 Thrush. On breaks, stop at craft breweries or ride a bobsled in Lake Placid. The Adirondack Birding Festival happens in June, but guided warbler walks occur all summer.
Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
Established: 1893
Bird Species: 275
Algonquin is a place to find the 鈥淏ig Four鈥 boreal birds: the Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Gray Jay, and Boreal Chickadee. It is also famous for weekly 鈥渨olf howls鈥 in August and for excellent hiking and canoeing. A park map highlights water routes, easy day paddles, and places to camp. The visitors鈥 center and nearby one-mile Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail provide an introduction to the park鈥檚 rich wildlife and history.
Churchill, Manitoba
Established: 1717
Bird Species: 195
The town of Churchill, on the shore of Hudson Bay, is the place to see polar bears in fall, but in summer, boreal birds are the big draw. Forest meets tundra here, providing habitat for Willow Ptarmigans, Parasitic Jaegers, Northern Hawk Owls, Bohemian Waxwings, and more. Summer bonus: several thousand beluga whales that gather in the Churchill River estuary.
Anchorage, Alaska
Established: Circa 1914
Bird Species: 250
Imagine seeing Rock Ptarmigans, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches, and White-winged Crossbills on a morning hike and dining on king crab a few hours later. Welcome to Anchorage, which offers excellent birding just minutes from downtown. Between bird quests, fly in a helicopter over a glacier, tour the kennel of an Iditarod 鈥渕usher,鈥 or visit the Anchorage Museum. 鈥拟.奥.
4 Insider Tips
Wildlife Safety
As you鈥檙e traveling in the North Country, always follow rules about dealing with bears, and keep your distance from moose; they look docile, but they are extremely aggressive when disturbed or threatened.
Biting Bugs
Big mammals may get all the publicity, but you鈥檙e far more likely to be bothered by mosquitoes, flies, and other pesky insects. Be prepared with long-sleeved shirts, repellent, and even a head net.
Train Travel
Most people visit Churchill by plane, but for a true adventure, consider the 48-hour rail journey from Winnipeg. The train departs Sunday and Tuesday mornings.
Trip Prep
For more facts and information about boreal birds and high-latitude birding, visit the Boreal Songbird Initiative鈥檚 website: borealbirds.org.
Hit a Birding Trail
North Huron Birding Trail Michigan鈥檚 Upper Peninsula, or, as locals refer to it, 鈥渢he U.P.,鈥 offers remarkable scenery and legendary birding. The new North Huron Birding Trail highlights 30 of the best sites near the peninsula鈥檚 eastern tip. Boreal forest zones here offer a wide variety of nesting birds: Northern Goshawks hunt the forest interior, Blackburnian Warblers sing from the spruce tops, and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers lurk in the bogs. Search for Sharp-tailed Grouse in the open areas, and Sedge Wrens, Le Conte鈥檚 Sparrows, or even the elusive Yellow Rail in the meadows. At night, Common Loons serenade campers with their wild yodeling. Learn more at , and explore other birding trails at .
Gear: Comfort Zone
Camp in style with the ($650), a durable, two-person tent with LED lights and a Goal Zero solar panel, fan, and battery. Then hit the trail for a full day of birding: The ($100) is comfortable, has quick-access pockets, and weighs only a pound. You鈥檒l forget you鈥檙e carrying the super-compact ($199)鈥攗ntil the wind picks up or it starts raining. Protect yourself from the sun while staying cool in the Outdoor Research ($79), which is made from with UPF 50+ rated fabric . The 18-ounce ($40) keeps coffee hot or water chilled all day. The fully loaded ($73) features three blades, scissors, and an awl. Keep bugs at bay with ($6 and up), a Deet-free, long-lasting insect repellant with picaridin.