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5 great places to watch birds in fall

Tag along with experts, and you'll get to see the migration up close.

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In fall, the birders come out to watch the annual migration of hawks, waterfowl and swans.

The rest of us come out to watch the birders, because they see things the rest of us can't.

On Duluth's Hawk Ridge last Saturday, renowned author and ornithologist Laura Erickson had her eyes trained on the sky, as usual.

"There's a sharp-shinned hawk with a songbird in its crop,'' she noted to anyone who cared to listen. "Since it's just eaten, it probably won't fly any closer, but it might if it sees easy pickings.''

Then two young naturalists came out holding newly banded sharpies, one with yellow eyes and brown breast feathers and the other with orange eyes and reddish coloring. After explaining the differences, they let two onlookers hold the birds briefly, then release them.

You don't need to own binoculars or even know anything about birds to appreciate the fall migration. Here are five places where you can bird-watch with the pros.

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Best bets for the weekend

On fall road trips, catch two or even three harvest festivals.

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It looks as if we're in for another golden weekend, with warm sunshine, no bugs and lots of festivals.

We like to squeeze as much as we can into a weekend, so we look for multiples. In St. Croix Falls, there are two grape stomps at two wineries.

In northern Wisconsin, visit the art fest at Wisconsin Concrete Park, Fall Harvest Festival in Phillips and, 20 miles south in Ogema, the Christmas Tree Festival and Timm's Hill, Wisconsin's highest point.

In southwest Wisconsin, it's just 31 miles between Cornish Fest in Mineral Point and Oktoberfest in New Glarus. In between, stop to see more cool outsider/folk art at Grandview in Hollandale.

Can you tell we love cool roadside art? Visiting Wisconsin's concrete attractions is our favorite road trip. Vintage barns are cool, too; see them on the All-Iowa Barn Tour.

If you're up north to see the maples turn, catch Fall Festival in Hayward and, 17 miles north, Fall Fest in Cable.

In Galena, Ill., tour five historic homes. In Racine, Wis., tour seven plus a lighthouse.

Spoiling for a fight? See Civil War battles in Greenbush, Wis., and World War II in Rockford, Ill. Pacifists will be at the Amish and Mennonite town of Kalona, Iowa, for its Fall Festival.

It'll be warm enough to hang out on a lake. In northern Wisconsin, Minocqua will treat you to beef at Beef-A-Rama (and beefcake on its Rump Roast Run). More treats at festivals: pancakes in Centerville, Iowa, pumpkins in Bessemer, Mich., and, in Wisconsin, apples in Gays Mills and cranberries in Warrens.

If you're late reserving a hotel room for fall-color weekends, try a low-profile but still-colorful spot, such as Minnesota lakes country, Iowa's Mississippi River Valley and even Wisconsin Dells.

And keep your eyes on the sky Sunday night, when a total lunar eclipse coincides with a supermoon. One of the best places to see it: Headlands International Dark Sky Park near Mackinaw City, Mich., the Upper Midwest's only certified stargazing site.

Next weekend

Watch apple-peelers and sword-fighters work their magic.

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Apple Festival in Bayfield, Wis. This big festival on Lake Superior features orchard tours, history walks, an apple-peeling contest, live music and a big parade at 2 p.m. Sunday. Oct. 2-4.

Olde English Faire and Autumn on Parade in Oregon, Ill. There will be swordfighters, minstrels and magicians at the castle-like Stronghold Center and, in town, a parade at 1 p.m. Sunday. Oct. 3-4.

Big Island Rendezvous and Festival in Albert Lea, Minn. More than 1,000 jolly re-enactors dance, demonstrate, compete and pull visitors back into the fur-trade era. Oct. 3-4.

Oktoberfest in Amana, Iowa. There's German music and food at this Amana Colonies village, plus contests that include the Eisenmann, or Iron Man, competition. The parade is at 10 a.m. Saturday. Oct. 2-4.

For more events, see our Events Calendar.

(A word from our sponsor)

Three reasons to Travel Wisconsin this fall

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There's nothing quite like fall in Wisconsin. Here are three reasons to start planning your trip:

The Action: The fun doesn't end just because summer's over! There's something fun to do every day in Wisconsin. Don't believe us? Our Fall Playlist is proof.

The Food: Whether you're an accomplished foodie or you just like things that taste good, Wisconsin is home to an array of delectable fall treats. Traditional Door County fish boils? We've got 'em. Craft breweries that create tasty seasonal brews? Yep. You truly have to taste it to believe it.

The Colors: It's true — fall colors really are bolder, better and brighter in Wisconsin! Enjoy a leisurely stroll through one of Wisconsin's technicolor parks, or breeze through the winding rustic roads on a motorcycle. Whatever your speed, use our Fall Color Report to find where the colors are peaking.

Start planning your Wisconsin fall adventure today.

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