Best Time to See Yellow Rumped Warblers in Minnesota

April, May and October is the best time to see yellow rumped warblers in Minnesota. Based on 3,473 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when yellow rumped warblers are most active across the year in Minnesota.

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.

Yellow-rumped Warbler photographed in Minnesota

Yellow-rumped Warbler · Paul Roots CC BY

Yellow-rumped Warbler photographed in Minnesota

Yellow-rumped Warbler · Brett Ortler CC BY

Yellow-rumped Warbler photographed in Minnesota

Yellow-rumped Warbler · Dominique Menard CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: April, May, October

3,473 verified observations of yellow rumped warblers in Minnesota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When yellow rumped warblers are recorded in Minnesota

Peak month

April

1,567 records (45.1% of the year)

Quietest month

March

3 records

MonthObservationsShare
January80.2%
February50.1%
March30.1%
Aprilpeak1,56745.1%
Maypeak1,03629.8%
June230.7%
July240.7%
August210.6%
September35510.2%
Octoberpeak42312.2%
November50.1%
December30.1%

Yellow Rumped Warblers you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Yellow-rumped Warbler3,473

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Minnesota

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when yellow rumped warblers are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for yellow rumped warblers sit around 30 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan20°F5°F1"
Feb20°F2°F1"
Mar37°F19°F1.9"
Aprbest time48°F30°F2.9"
Maybest time64°F44°F2.6"
Jun77°F58°F2.6"
Jul79°F62°F4.6"
Aug77°F61°F3.8"
Sep70°F54°F3.6"
Octbest time53°F40°F2.7"
Nov38°F25°F1.8"
Dec27°F14°F2.5"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Minnesota. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

Sightings of yellow rumped warblers in Minnesota peak in April, when 1,567 of the year's 3,473 verified observations are logged — about 45.1% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, May and October.

The quietest stretch is March and December, when yellow rumped warblers are hardest to find — March sees just 3 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The yellow rumped warblers you are most likely to encounter in Minnesota are Yellow-rumped Warbler — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.

Where to go

Best places to see yellow rumped warblers in Minnesota

  • Grand Portage National Monument — National Monument
  • Mississippi National River & Recreation Area — National River & Recreation Area
  • North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
  • Pipestone National Monument — National Monument
  • Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway — National Scenic Riverway
  • Voyageurs National Park — National Park

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see yellow rumped warblers in Minnesota?+

April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, May and October, based on 3,473 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are yellow rumped warblers hardest to see in Minnesota?+

March is the quietest month for yellow rumped warblers in Minnesota, with only 3 verified records.

Are yellow rumped warblers active year-round in Minnesota?+

Yellow rumped warblers are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Minnesota, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.