Q: There are a large variety of bird species that either call Minnesota home or pass through every fall and spring. Where can a person go to watch these birds in action?

A: 430 species of birds have been documented in Minnesota. Of those, 312 are either resident or migrant birds that can be expected to be seen annually in appropriate habitat. Of all 50 states, Minnesota ranks second in the number of people who participate in bird and wildlife watching. Bird watching can be done nearly anywhere, but some great places include Blue Mounds State Park in the southwest, Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge in the northwest, Sax-Zim Bog (St. Louis County) in the northeast and Frontenac State Park in the southeast. With the help of ornithologists Bob Janssen and Jerry Bonkoski the Minnesota DNR recently completed an inventory of the bird species which have been documented in state parks. Checklists of bird species are currently available for 70 Minnesota state parks, and can be picked up at park offices or downloaded from the DNR's Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/birdchecklists.html.