birding resources
Bird watchers interested in increasing their identification skill will likely benefit from taking field notes. These two samples (simple, and detailed) are examples of field not taking. As forms, they help to remind one of the characteristics to cue into when observing a bird.
DOWNLOAD: SAMPLE-Quick Field Notes
DOWNLOAD: SAMPLE-Detailed Field Notes
Each family grouping of birds tends to have a few identification characteristics that are most useful to conclusively identify, This chart is a quick reference list of those important characteristics.
DOWNLOAD: Family Characteristics
Especially for beginners, here is a list of 99 of birds that Southwest Minnesota bird watchers will benefit to know by sight.
Southwest Minnesota Birding Resources 