Birding
At Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Established as a place for migratory birds, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge attracts over 240 different bird species each year to its diverse habitats. Depending on the season, songbirds, raptors and waterfowl abound throughout the refuge.
Hours
Daily, sunrise to sunset.
Know Before You Go
- Please refer to the full list of refuge rules and policies before visiting.
- Guided Bird Walks and other birding programs are offered throughout the year. These programs are free and open to all ages.
- Wildlife is most active during the early morning and evening hours, making these the best times for viewing.
- The best bird migration viewing opportunities typically occur during the first two weeks of May and the middle two weeks of October.
- June is peak nesting season, when adults are actively feeding young.
- Merlin, eBird and iNaturalist can be good resources to help with wildlife observation.
Points of Interest
Rice Lake
In mid-October, thousands of ducks, geese and swans on Rice Lake can be viewed from the observation mound along the Wildlife Drive. Fall duck populations are greatly tied to the wild rice produced on Rice Lake and average peak numbers are 200,000 individuals.
