Photo: Laura Hubers/USFWS · CC BY 2.0, cropped to fit and resized
Waubay Refugespring migration
Wildlife refugeAt Waubay National Wildlife Refuge, spring migration, mid-April to May, is a peak time for large varieties and numbers of birds, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Checked against 3 official sources · How we check →
About Waubay Refuge
- What it is
- A wildlife refuge in South Dakota
- What you'll see
- Spring bird migration · most numerous mid-April to May
Right now at Waubay Refuge
Right now in Waubay Refuge · October
- Fall migration peak · September and October
Your guide to the area
- Waubay RefugeLocal timing: mid-April to MayThis page
- Spring Lake Overlook Trail0.7 mi
Where to watch
Headquarters Hiking Trail
Best spot
About 1.5 miles of trails around the island the headquarters stands on
Spring Lake Overlook Trail
Best spot
A short trail to an overlook over four habitats, its sides painted with prairie wildflowers
Around Waubay Refuge
Late-summer and fall mallards and teal in Minnesota
138 mi away
In stages: Fall (July-November)
Next season here: Spring bird migration, mid-April to May.
The year at Waubay Refuge
- Geese, goldeneyes and wigeon returnmid- to late March into April
- Spring migration peakmid-April to May
- Prairies at their most colorfulJune to August
- Fall migration peakNowSeptember and October
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see spring migration at Waubay National Wildlife Refuge?
Most numerous: mid-April to May. Spring migration, mid-April to May, is a peak time for large varieties and numbers of birds, per the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Is spring migration under way at Waubay National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual spring migration window for this year has passed. Next time: mid-April to May, local timing.
When are there the most birds at Waubay Refuge?
During spring migration, mid-April to May, and fall migration, September and October.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife watching at Waubay National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When do warblers come through Waubay Refuge?
They're the stars in May; yellow-rumped warblers and kinglets herald the warbler migration at the end of April.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Waubay National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is Waubay Refuge open?
During daylight hours, every day.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Waubay National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When are the prairies most colorful at Waubay Refuge?
Often from June to August, though summers can be hot and humid with ticks and mosquitoes.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Waubay National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Waubay National Wildlife Refuge?
The best spots are Headquarters Hiking Trail and Spring Lake Overlook Trail. Headquarters Hiking Trail: about 1.5 miles of trails around the island the headquarters stands on. Spring Lake Overlook Trail: a short trail to an overlook over four habitats, its sides painted with prairie wildflowers.
What is Waubay National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Waubay National Wildlife Refuge has something to see in 8 months of the year. Geese, goldeneyes and wigeon return: Mar–Apr. Spring migration peak: Apr–May. Prairies at their most colorful: Jun–Aug. Fall migration peak: Sep–Oct.
How we know · Sources (3)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife watching at Waubay National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 3) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Waubay National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 3) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Waubay National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 3)