National Parks are treasures of the environment. They not only protect the best of our natural heritage but also form the basis of our economic and social wellbeing. National Parks attract millions of visitors every year and help to protect wildlife by acting as a refuge for threatened species. Glacier National Park is one of the most majestic of the National Parks where individuals can go to hike, camp, bird watch or just enjoy nature. Bird Watching in Glacier National Park is a fun activity.
A trip to a National Park is a perfect nature dose. It is also a
significant deviation from our typical vacation ideas. Sometimes skipping the
warmth of the sun on a beach and the cold of the mountains is worth it.
Connecting with nature, indeed boosts creativity and health. And what better
way than a National Park to experience the beauty of majestic mountains, the
serenity of lakes, the amazing wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. National
Parks are also about adventurous trails and startling bird watching.
Due to the diverse landscapes, National Parks have a plethora of wildlife that any animal lover will surely appreciate. This is why bird watching in Yosemite National Park is so fun. National Parks are also home to various archaeological sites and historical trails. So while others will be lounging in the sand or sitting on a couch, you can soak up in history, science and more at a National Park.
Almost every one of us has visited a National Park in our lives, either with friends or family. We never forget the scenic beauty and natural tranquility as the memories never cease to exist from our minds. The splendid landscapes, various wild animals, colorful plants, and serene water bodies always remind us that nature has more things in store than we think. Bird watching in Yellowstone National Park is another way to really connect with nature.
A perfect spot for adrenaline junkies, a visit to the National Parks have various health benefits too, such as replenishing the soul. Not only does it improve the physical well being, but mental well being also. A walk in nature indeed has positive effects on a person’s imagination, creativity, and insightfulness.
One such National Park is the Grand Teton National Park. Located in the state of Wyoming, the landscape of Grand Teton National Park is strikingly beautiful and memorable. Many come here to enjoy nature and bird watch. Wyoming is in itself a state of natural beauty and a sense of adventure housing the Teton County, which ultimately led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park. The region of Teton is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming and is a mountainous region that is geographically active.
Nature’s beauty has a profound effect on our senses. Those getaways from the outer world to the inner world results in feelings of awe, wonder, and amazement. But what is it about nature that we feel to declare it as beautiful? The answer truly lies in the prominence of a mountain, the expanse of the sea, the unfolding life of a flower, vivid landscapes, and the fantastic wildlife. And bird watching in Acadia National Park can help you truly see nature’s beauty.
Nature travel has many positive effects which makes it important to get on board with a National Park vacation. A National Park is a large area of public land set aside for native plants and animals. It protects the places that were important to Aboriginal people and places that show how they lived in the past. Olympic National Park provides a beautiful arena for bird watching.
A national park can be defined as a natural space that is dedicated for the purpose of conservation, recreation and protection. National parks not only protect endangered and vulnerable species but provide an escape for humans from the chaotic world full of stress and tension. Bird watching in the Grand Canyon is no exception!
Visiting a national park is like an all-in-one experience as visitors can explore various landscapes, enjoy the beauty of nature, learn about plant and animal species, indulge in bird-watching, live amidst the protected wilderness and even camp inside the national park.
Glacier Bay National Park is to Juneau city’s west, in the state of Alaska on the southeast. A total of 3,223,384 acres, 2,770,000 acres is wilderness. The Glacier Bay National Park is located in the southeast part of Alaska and covers a total of 3,223,384 acres, out of which 2,770,000 acres are made up of wilderness.
In 1979, Glacier Bay itself was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the protection and preservation of the park and its wildlife and habitats, the National Park Service works in tandem with Yakutat Tlingit and Hoonah- two native American organizations. Birdwatching at the Glacier Bay National park is a treat because of the high diversity of birds and wildlife.
Congaree National Park is spread across 26,276 acres of central South Carolina land, located 18 miles southeast of Columbia. The park forms the largest expanse of intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States and has incredible biodiversity.
The park’s river-floodplain ecosystem is lined by lakes, creeks, and swamps, providing wildlife with adequate food and shelter. Congaree National Park is a recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) with populations of Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Barred Owls, Summer Tanagers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Wrens, Nuthatches, and Warblers.
Big Bend National Park is at the Mexican border, though its proper location is in West Texas. The park is significant nationally because it hosts the United States’ largest protected ecology and topography, the Chihuahuan Desert area.
The park itself was named after the big bend found between the Rio Grande and Rio Bravo, which is why the area is overall called the Big Bend. This park hosts activities by park rangers and people go on scenic drives and enjoy stargazing here. But, of course, the main and huge activity people engage in Big Bend National Park is birdwatching.
750 feet tall dunes are spread across the 107,342 acres of Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado. The park is known for its various geological formations including alpine lakes and tundra, mountain peaks stretching over 13,000 feet high, mixed conifer forests, grasslands, and wetlands while also being home to the tallest dunes in North America. Lying on the eastern edge of the San Luis Valley near the town of Alamosa and neighboring the Sangre de Cristo Range natural preserve, Great Sand Dunes National Park has a lot to offer.
The 241,904 acre Capitol Reef National Park was established in 1971. Part of it is in multiple counties, including Emery, Garfield, Sevier, and Wayne. In Wayne County, parts of the Capitol Reef park were used to be called the Wayne Wonderland. The park has documented countless bird species, even if birdwatching is not the first thing people associate with this park.
Five island chains off the southern California coast near Los Angeles form the Channel Islands, National Park. The island groups are home to a wide range of nationally and internationally important natural and cultural resources dating over 10,000 years. More than 2,000 species of plants and animals can be seen within the park itself.
The extensive marine life ranges from microscopic plankton to even the endangered and largest animal globally, the blue whale. The park is spread across 249,354 acres of land, half of which is underwater. This includes the islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara.
The White Sands National Park happens to be in New Mexico. As the name suggests, the 145,762 acres cover Tularosa Basin and have white sand fields in the south. The park is surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range, a military testing ground. To give you a better idea, it is in Otero County and Doña Ana County.
The North Cascades National Park lies in the state of Washington, a few hours away from Seattle. Stretching across more than 500,000 acres, it is one of the three National Park Service units that form the North Cascades National Park Complex. The park is divided into two parts, a northern and southern section by the Skagit River while Lake Chelan flows on the southern border of the south section. Aside from the two national recreational areas (including the two lakes), several national forests, and wilderness areas, the Canadian provincial parks in British Columbia come under the park’s protection. The topography is formed from rugged features highlighting the mountain peaks of the North Cascades Range, the largest glacial system in the contiguous United States, headwaters of many waterways, and expansive forested areas that offer a huge population of biodiversity in terms of plants and animals, larger than any other American National Park.
Major Attractions at North Cascades National Park
There are a ton of viewpoints, hiking trails, and attractions to visit inside North Cascades National Park. The North Cascades Highway or State Highway 20 is the only paved roadway that travels from the east-west along the Skagit River. This route is popular for the scenic views and several overlooks, short hikes, and lakes that lie on it. The Sterling Munro Trail is a 300-foot boardwalk trail that crosses the beautiful Picket Range. The Diablo Lake Vista Point is one of the most famous overlooks in the park. The lake surface shines in an unusual milky green-blue color that comes from the melted glaciers. Gorge Lake Overlook gives an unrestricted view of the Skagit Gorge and the Gorge Dam, a hydroelectric dam inside North Cascades National Park.
More than 200 species of birds that fly through and use the park as a breeding ground can be found inside the North Cascades. The steep elevations and the waterways surrounded by densely forested areas make a diverse habitat that ranges from mountain meadows to low-elevation forests, and wetlands.
About 50% of the birds that breed in the park are migratory like the Warbling Vireos, Swainson’s Thrushes, Wilson’s Warblers, and Western Tanagers. Concentrated populations of wintering Bald Eagles of continental United States can be seen near the Skagit River.
Bald Eagles are dark brown, and their heads are covered in white feathers. You can find these birds throughout North America. They were once endangered; however, now they are flourishing because they are protected. They make their homes near rivers, large lakes, and coasts. Bald Eagles are the national bird of the United States. They usually soar through the sky alone. They lay 1 to 3 eggs and both parents feed and care for the young. As winter comes, they gather in groups sometimes known as “soars” and migrate south.
Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpeckers are a beautiful black color with white stripes down their neck and a bright red crest. They live in the eastern region of North America. Their population is stable after a slight decrease prior to 1900. Pileated Woodpeckers like to drum on old logs or near the base of a tree. They like to dig rectangular holes in trees while trying to find ants to eat. They lay 3 to 5 eggs and make their nests in dead trees or utility poles. Pileated Woodpeckers are permanent residents.
Barn Swallow
Barn Swallows have vibrant blue and brown colors. They live throughout North America. Barn Swallows are abundant birds and are not endangered. They make their habitat in open fields, near water. They fly low just a few inches above the ground or water searching for flying insects to eat. Barn Swallows are the most common Swallow species in the world. They build their nests under eaves of buildings, in cliffs, or on bridges. They lay 4 to 5 eggs. Barn Swallows migrate south in flocks in mid-August.
Black-capped Chickadee
Black-capped Chickadees are gray and white with a black cap. You can find these birds throughout North America. They are a common bird with an increasing population. Black-capped Chickadees live in shade trees and groves. They are easy to attract backyard feeders because they like seeds. They also like insects and berries. Black-capped Chickadees lay 6 to 8 eggs in holes they make in trees. They are not migratory birds; however, some groups go south in the fall.
Calliope Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbirds are small green birds with a white chest and a beautiful purple throat. They live in the northwestern mountains of North America. They are common and are not at risk of becoming endangered. These Hummingbirds make their homes in mountain canyons and forests. Calliope Hummingbirds are the smallest bird in North America. They rely on nectar and small flying insects for food. They lay 2 small white eggs and sometimes build their nests in the bottom of a pinecone! Calliope Hummingbirds migrate throughout the Rocky Mountain range.
Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpeckers are black and white with a small red patch on their head. They are the smallest Woodpeckers and you can find them throughout North America. Downy Woodpeckers are common and their population is steady with no risk of being endangered. They make their homes in backyards, parks, and woodlots. Downy Woodpeckers do not sing songs; they drum. In the winter, they like to hang out with other birds such as the Nuthatch and Chickadee. They eat mostly insects, but also eat seeds and berries. Downy Woodpeckers build their nests in holes of dead trees and keep them camouflaged. They lay 4 to 5 eggs. Downy Woodpeckers are permanent residents; however, some in the north migrate south in the winter.
Purple Finch
Purple Finches are a purple-red color with light brown wings. They also have a large beak that they use to crack open seeds. Purple Finches live in eastern North America, with some on the Pacific Coast as well. There has been a decrease in Purple Finches in the northeast area, but the population overall is stable. They make their homes in woods or groves and in the suburbs. Purple Finches make a warbling sound but can often mimic other birds like Barn Swallows or Brown-headed Cowbirds. Purple Finches lay 4 to 5 eggs in a cup-shaped nest, usually 20 feet high in a tree. These finches are migratory birds, migrating in flocks by day.
Killdeer
Killdeer are brown with white underbellies. They are common, widespread birds found throughout North America. They are not close to being endangered. Killdeer are one of the few shorebirds you can see without going to the beach. They make their homes near golf courses, athletic fields, parking lots, and backyards. Killdeer eat insects as they run across the ground. They usually lay 4 eggs and make their nests on the ground. They are easy to see. Southern Killdeer live permanently in the south; however, the birds found in the north do migrate south.
Rufous Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbirds are an orange color almost like a penny. They also have red throats and long straight bills. Their population has declined, but they are still common and widespread. They make their homes in mountain meadows and forests in the western part of North America. Rufous Hummingbirds like to feed on nectar and insects. They will visit hummingbird feeders in backyards. They are very protective and will chase off other birds or animals. Rufous Hummingbirds lay about 2 eggs and make their nests very camouflaged up in trees. They migrate along the western part of North America sometimes reaching parts of Alaska and down to South America.
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrows have a brown and gray body with streaks. Their coloring can change depending upon the area they are in. You can find these birds all over North America. Their population is widespread and steady. They make their homes in thickets, brush, and around marshes. Song Sparrows eat small insects like wasps and ants, but will also come to bird feeders for seed. They lay 3 to 5 eggs in a nest low to the ground. Song Sparrows in the north migrate to the south for the winter.
Final Thoughts
The variety in landscape and habitat along with the suitable climate and abundantly available resources like fresh water and vegetation attracts large numbers of different bird species. The concentration is particularly high during the migratory months. In this season, North Cascades National Park becomes a hub for birdwatchers, welcoming a ton of people for birding each year.
Ornithology
Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes
At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.
The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing birds at North Cascades National Park is the 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.
The arid land home to a range of trees, shrubs, and plants supporting a wide variety of birds and other wildlife, the Bryce Canyon National Park is situated in southwestern Utah. Despite being named “Canyon”, the park’s central feature is, in fact, not a canyon. Instead, Bryce Canyon is a naturally formed collection of giant amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau.
The park’s distinct geological structures, called hoodoos, are multi-colored rock pinnacles that provide incredible views for the park visitors. The canyons and plateaus at Bryce Canyon National Park are home to many animals and birds.
Around 3.3 million acres of the Mojave Desert in eastern California form the largest national park south of Alaska, Death Valley National Park. Located towards the west-northwest of Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park lies adjacent to the California–Nevada border. The expansive grounds include Death Valley, the northern portion of Panamint Valley, the southern part of Eureka Valley, and the majority of Saline Valley. Death Valley National Park is the hottest, driest, and lowest of all the national parks in the United States offering diverse habitats to the flora and fauna including salt-flats, sand dunes, badlands, valleys, canyons, and mountains. The park boundaries include the second-lowest point in the whole western hemisphere, Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level.
Canyonlands National Park is in the southeast of Utah, close to Moab town. It covers Garfield, Grand, Wayne, and San Juan county. The park is 337,598 acres, hosting multiple landscapes constituting Colorado River buttes, canyons, mesas, and the Green River. The park is neatly sectioned into 4 sides: the Maze, the Needles, the Island in the sky, and the combination of the two rivers, Green and Colorado. The two rivers are famous for eroding the Colorado Plateau into two large canyons.
Gateway Arch National Park is in Missouri and is 90.9 acres in area. In St. Louis, the park begins close to where the Lewis and Clark Expedition starts. The national park consists of St. Louis’ icon, a catenary arch made of steel. Some of the oldest buildings in the city are in this area. Birdwatching at the Gateway National Park is an easy, effortless, and almost celebrated activity.
