March is one of the most exciting months of the year for birdwatching. Spring migration is underway, winter residents are still present, and in many parks the skies and shorelines are busy with more species than any other time of year.
You don't need to be a serious birder to enjoy what these parks offer in March. A pair of binoculars and a little patience goes a long way. Here are five parks where the birdwatching is genuinely exceptional right now.
1. Everglades National Park, Florida
Why March: The Everglades in late winter and early spring is the best time for wading bird concentrations in the entire country. As water levels drop during the dry season, fish become concentrated in shrinking pools — and the birds follow. Hundreds of great blue herons, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, and anhingas gather in numbers that are hard to believe until you see them.
What to Do: Drive the main park road to Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm — this short, flat walk along a marsh boardwalk offers some of the best close-up wildlife viewing in any national park. Stop at the Mrazek Pond pullout for concentrations of wading birds. Eco Pond near Flamingo is excellent for shorebirds and ducks. Bring a good pair of binoculars — the variety of species here is extraordinary.
Pro Tip: Visit on weekdays if possible — the park gets busy on spring weekends. Early morning is best for bird activity and cooler temperatures. A field guide to Florida birds is worth having, either in print or as an app, given the sheer variety of species you're likely to encounter.
2. Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Why March: Point Reyes is one of the top birdwatching destinations in North America, and March sits right in the middle of winter resident season while early spring migrants begin to arrive. The park's combination of coastal scrub, freshwater lagoons, open grasslands, and rugged cliffs creates habitat for an exceptional range of species — over 490 have been recorded here.
What to Do: Walk the Estero Trail for shorebirds, ducks, and raptors along the tidal flats. Visit Abbott's Lagoon for wintering waterfowl. The area around the Lighthouse at Point Reyes Headlands is excellent for spotting seabirds and, in March, the tail end of gray whale migration passing offshore. Tomales Bay is reliable for loons and grebes throughout winter.
Pro Tip: The shuttle to the Lighthouse runs on weekends — check the park website for current schedules. Bring layers; the headlands are exposed and windy even on mild days. The Bear Valley Visitor Center has helpful staff and current sighting reports.
3. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Why March: Technically a national wildlife refuge rather than a national park, Bosque del Apache is included here because the birdwatching in March is simply too good to leave off this list. The sandhill crane and snow goose populations that winter here through February begin their northward migration in early March — and witnessing tens of thousands of cranes lifting off at dawn is one of the great wildlife spectacles in North America.
What to Do: Arrive before sunrise and position yourself along the Flight Deck or the crane pools for the morning lift-off. The 12-mile auto tour loop runs through the heart of the refuge and is excellent for raptors, ducks, and shorebirds throughout the day. March also brings increasing numbers of early neotropical migrants as the month progresses.
Pro Tip: The peak crane numbers are usually in November and December, but early March still offers impressive concentrations before the bulk of birds depart. Check the refuge website for current bird counts before planning your visit. Socorro, the nearest town, has several hotels and is about 20 minutes from the refuge.
4. Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina
Why March: The Outer Banks in March is a birdwatcher's paradise that most people don't know about. The barrier islands of Cape Hatteras sit on the Atlantic Flyway, one of the main migration corridors in North America, and March brings a steady flow of shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors moving north. Winter seabirds are still present offshore, and the beaches are quiet and uncrowded.
What to Do: Walk the beach at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge — the ponds on the sound side are excellent for wading birds and ducks, while the ocean side has loons, scoters, and gannets offshore. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse area is a reliable migration hotspot. Bring a spotting scope if you have one — the distances involved on the open beach reward higher magnification.
Pro Tip: The Outer Banks are accessible by road through Nags Head or by ferry. A 4WD vehicle with a valid beach driving permit opens up more of the remote beach areas where shorebirds concentrate. Check the National Park Service website for current beach access and closures.
5. Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
Why March: Padre Island sits at the heart of the Central Flyway and March is when spring migration through Texas begins in earnest. The combination of Gulf Coast beaches, tidal flats, and grassland habitat on the island creates an excellent variety of birding opportunities. Migrating warblers, shorebirds, and raptors are all possible, alongside year-round coastal species.
What to Do: Drive the North Beach area and walk the shoreline for gulls, terns, and shorebirds. The Malaquite Visitor Center area is a good starting point. Bird the grasslands in the interior of the island for sparrows and raptors. Laguna Madre, the shallow bay on the western side of the island, holds wading birds and waterfowl throughout the season.
Pro Tip: The southern portion of Padre Island requires a 4WD vehicle to access and is significantly more remote — plan accordingly. Corpus Christi, about 10 miles from the park's north entrance, has full services and is a convenient base. The nearby town of Port Aransas is also worth visiting for additional coastal birding spots.
Final Thoughts
March is one of the most rewarding months to be outside with a pair of binoculars. The parks and refuges on this list offer some of the finest birdwatching in the country — and many of them are at their least crowded right now. Your America the Beautiful Pass covers entry at the national park sites on this list. Get out there while migration is moving.
