Quill Lakes International Bird Area

Welcome to Quill Lakes

The Quill Lakes International Bird Area is a 250 km² conservation area, including three saltwater lakes and several fresh water marshes, all part of Canada’s largest saline lake.  The area annually provides critical habitat for over 1 million nesting and migrating shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds.

Over 300 species and over one million birds annually use the Quill lakes area for nesting, feeding or stopovers on their long migrations.  A visit may result in a rare sighting of the critically endangered whooping crane or the piping plover.

In the spring and fall view enormous flocks of migrating birds.  Hundred of thousands a geese pass through here every year, often in flocks of over ten thousand at a time.  In the summer, watch shorebirds and waterfowl raise their young, while enjoying the scenery at picnic areas along hike trails.

Wildlife Viewing Areas

There are two fully developed viewing areas, at Foam Lake and Wadena.  These sites have washroom, picnic areas, viewing towers and walking trails with interpretive signage.  In addition, visitors can drive around the lakes and stop at Ducks Unlimited Canada’s undeveloped viewing areas.

For a more detailed information regarding what you can see in the Wadena area continue to the Wadena Wetlands page.