Afton State Park

Minnesota · Midwest

EasyView on eBird

Habitat

GrasslandWetland

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Afton State Park is a productive birding destination in Minnesota, with 233 species recorded on eBird. This grassland and wetland habitat attracts Great Horned Owl, Canada Goose, and Bald Eagle among many others. Spring migration along the Mississippi and Central Flyways makes this a vital stopover for diverse species.

Location

Loading map...

Notable Species

Great Horned Owl Canada Goose Bald Eagle Barred Owl Dark-eyed Junco

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

3/3/2026964 Trout Brook Rd, Hudson US-WI 45.00166, -92.720561 observed

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/3/2026Lake Phalen1 observed

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

3/3/2026WI Home1 observed

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis

3/2/20261207 CTH-V, Hudson US-WI 45.03655, -92.738751 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/2/20261207 CTH-V, Hudson US-WI 45.03655, -92.738752 observed

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

3/1/2026Kaposia Landing1 observed

Townsend's Solitaire

Myadestes townsendi

3/1/2026Hastings Sand Coulee SNA--North Unit1 observed

American Goshawk

Astur atricapillus

2/28/2026964 Trout Brook Rd, Hudson US-WI 45.00166, -92.720561 observed

American Goshawk

Astur atricapillus

2/28/2026964 Trout Brook Rd, Hudson US-WI 45.00166, -92.720561 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

2/28/2026Oriole

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

2/27/2026St. Croix River Boat Ramp and Boom Site--Stillwater1 observed

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

2/26/2026180th St. Marsh (Marshall's Marsh)1 observed

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

2/26/2026180th St. Marsh (Marshall's Marsh)1 observed

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

2/25/2026Kaposia Landing2 observed

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata

2/25/2026St. Croix River Boat Ramp and Boom Site--Stillwater2 observed

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

2/24/2026Darci home1 observed

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

2/23/2026Kaposia Landing1 observed

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

2/23/2026Pig's Eye Lake outflow (Ramsey Co.)2 observed

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

2/23/2026Kaposia Landing2 observed

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

2/21/2026180th St. Marsh (Marshall's Marsh)1 observed

Recent Observations

Great Horned Owl

Afton SP

3/4/2026

1 birds

Canada Goose

Afton SP

3/4/2026

4 birds

Bald Eagle

Afton SP

3/4/2026

1 birds

Barred Owl

Afton SP

3/4/2026

1 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

Afton SP

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Cardinal

Afton SP

3/4/2026

1 birds

Downy Woodpecker

Afton SP

2/27/2026

3 birds

Hairy Woodpecker

Afton SP

2/27/2026

1 birds

Pileated Woodpecker

Afton SP

2/27/2026

1 birds

American Crow

Afton SP

2/27/2026

2 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

Afton SP

2/27/2026

5 birds

White-breasted Nuthatch

Afton SP

2/27/2026

2 birds

American Tree Sparrow

Afton SP

2/27/2026

12 birds

Rough-legged Hawk

Afton SP

2/27/2026

1 birds

Northern Shrike

Afton SP

2/27/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

Afton SP

2/27/2026

2 birds

Horned Lark

Afton SP

2/27/2026

5 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

Afton SP

2/23/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
Scan fence posts and utility wires for perching raptors and kingbirds.
2
Walk field edges at dawn when sparrows and grassland species are most vocal.
3
Time your visit during the first week of May for maximum species diversity.

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Visitor Center

More in Minnesota

Sax-Zim Bog

Premier winter destination for boreal owl species in Minnesota's vast peatlands.

140th Saint Marsh

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 233 recorded species.

180th Saint Marsh (Marshall's Marsh)

Wetland birding hotspot in Minnesota with 215 recorded species.

Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

Where to See Bald Eagles in North America: A Seasonal Viewing Guide

11 min read

How to Identify Birds Like an Expert: The Four Keys to Field Identification

11 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Afton State Park for birding?▼

The best months to visit Afton State Park for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Afton State Park?▼

Notable species at Afton State Park include Great Horned Owl, Canada Goose, Bald Eagle, Barred Owl, Dark-eyed Junco. The area supports grassland, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Afton State Park?▼

Birding at Afton State Park is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

What amenities are available at Afton State Park?▼

Afton State Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Visitor Center.