Geese are an exciting attraction to many of our national wildlife refuges, including Snow Geese like a blue morph adult (above) and the likes of a mixed flock of Cackling Geese with White-fronted Geese below (photos by Paul Konrad).

Among the best birding locations nationwide are our National Wildlife Refuges, found in every state in America. Next week will be a great time to visit a refuge near you, during the celebration of National Wildlife Refuge Week, from this Sunday October 13th to Saturday the 19th. One of the most impressive uses of our public lands in the United States, the National Wildlife Refuge System is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to provide vital habitat for hundreds of bird species and other animals and plants, including endangered and threatened species.

The Refuge System includes 570 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts covering 95 million acres of land. There are national wildlife refuges in every state, and North Dakota has the most refuges of any state – more than 10 percent of all the refuges in America. How many refuges does your state have? How many have you visited to check on birding opportunities? To find a refuge near you or to learn about other refuges nationwide, refer to Visit Us | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)

Learn more about National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 13 to 19, at National Wildlife Refuge Week | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)