Southern Minnesota Birding Days

Southern Minnesota Birding Days Field Trip InformationMay 6, 7, 8, 2025Base – Austin Fee information:1/2 day or day trips – no registration fee requiredOvernight trips – $35.00 or non-MRVAC members – $25.00 for MRVAC members. This trip will be limited to 15 participants......More

Southern Minnesota Birding Days Field Trip InformationMay 6, 7, 8, 2025Base – Austin Fee information:1/2 day or day trips – no registration fee requiredOvernight trips – $35.00 or non-MRVAC members – $25.00 for MRVAC members. This trip will be limited to 15 participants, and we will carpool in 4 vehicles during the trip. May 6, TuesdayToday we will be birding in Fillmore County. Some of the locations that we may have time to visit include, the Goethite WMA, Kappers’Ponds, Forestville State Park and Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center. May 7, WednesdayWe’ll be spending the day in Mower County today. Some of the locations that we have a chance to bird include, Lake Louise State Park, Ault and Penkava Marsh, Adams Park, the Hormel Nature Center and a Number of WMA’s and Water treatment ponds. May 8, ThursdayToday we’ll have time to finish birding locations in Mower County that we did not have time to check on Wednesday. And we’ll wrap up in Austin around 1:00 pm.

AmericInn by Wyndham – Austin, 1700 8th Street NW, Austin, MN, 55912, United States

Bird Watching Trek

Birdwatching Trek: Rapids Lake Visitor Center Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk. For these spring walks, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. With Waterfowl on the March and April walks. Followed by Sparrows and Warblers on t......More

Birdwatching Trek: Rapids Lake Visitor Center Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk. For these spring walks, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. With Waterfowl on the March and April walks. Followed by Sparrows and Warblers on the walks in May. We will get to know the birds that migrate through the refuge each spring and those that stay to nest on the refuge. Bring along your binoculars, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather. Registration required: Date and Time: Saturday, May 10 from 8:00-10:30 am Location: Rapids Lake Visitor Center – 15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN 55315 Registration Information: Registration is required for this program and is available on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges website. To register, go to the events page and click on the program date you would like to register for and click on the SignUp link. Please indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk. This program is capped at 25 participants. Activity Level: Easy-active, we will walk slowly and make frequent stops. Meet Us: Meet near the parking lot for the Rapids Lake Visitor Center. Please consider carpooling with others in your party due to limited parking. What to Bring: If you have them, bring along binoculars and a favorite field guide. This program is held entirely outdoors, please dress appropriately for the weather. A cancellation notice will be sent via email to registered participants in the event of severe weather. Accessibility: A restroom is available at the Rapids Lake Visitor Center. There is a parking lot near the Visitor Center near where we will be meeting. Program Leader: This program is led by Volunteer Naturalist Craig Mandel. Craig has been leading bird walks on the refuge for more than two decades. For questions about these walks, please contact Craig at 952-240-7647. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at [email protected]. Event date and timeMay 10, 2025 8:00 am – May 10, 2025 10:30 am (CST)

Rapids Lake Visitor Center, 15865 Rapids Lake Road, Carver, MN, 55315, United States

Crosby Farm Park: Watergate Marina entry

At Shepard Road and the MN 5 overpass is the frontage road leading downhill to the Watergate Marina. The large public park parking lot is just beyond.  We will walk by the smaller pond and take paved trails into the mature forest which end at the Mississippi River.

Crosby Farm Park, 2500 Crosby Farm Rd., St. Pauul, 55116, United States

MRVAC Photography Special Interest Group

The MRVAC Photography Special Interest Group will meet for a hike at Bass Ponds in Bloomington. Photographers at all levels of expertise are welcome to share techniques and tips. Bring your cameras for an evening on the trail. Meet near the Upper Bass Ponds Trailhead pa......More

The MRVAC Photography Special Interest Group will meet for a hike at Bass Ponds in Bloomington. Photographers at all levels of expertise are welcome to share techniques and tips. Bring your cameras for an evening on the trail. Meet near the Upper Bass Ponds Trailhead parking lot. If you are coming with others, please consider carpooling to conserve parking spaces.

Bass Ponds, 2501 86th St. E., Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States

Bird Watching Trek

Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk. For these spring walks, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. With Waterfowl on the March and April walks. Followed by Sparrows and Warblers on the walks i......More

Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk. For these spring walks, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. With Waterfowl on the March and April walks. Followed by Sparrows and Warblers on the walks in May. We will get to know the birds that migrate through the refuge each spring and those that stay to nest on the refuge. Bring along your binoculars, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather. Registration required: Date and Time: Tuesday, May 13th from 8:00-10:30am Location: Old Cedar Avenue – 9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55425 Registration Information: Registration is required for this program and is available on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges website. To register, go to the events page and click on the program date you would like to register for and click on the SignUp link. Please indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk. This program is capped at 25 participants. Activity Level: Easy-active, we will walk slowly and make frequent stops. Meet Us: Meet near the Old Cedar Avenue parking lot. Please consider carpooling with others in your party due to limited parking. What to Bring: If you have them, bring along binoculars and a favorite field guide. This program is held entirely outdoors, please dress appropriately for the weather. A cancellation notice will be sent via email to registered participants in the event of severe weather. Accessibility: A portable restroom is available at the Old Cedar Avenue pavilion. This walk takes place on mostly flat ground on paved trails, wooden boardwalks, and natural surface paths. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may not be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Very few benches or rest areas exist along the route, though the parking lot is a short distance away and provides a covered seating area. Program Leader: This program is led by Volunteer Naturalist Craig Mandel. Craig has been leading bird walks on the refuge for more than two decades. For questions about these walks, please contact Craig at 952-240-7647. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at [email protected]. Event date and timeMay 13, 2025 8:00 am – May 13, 2025 10:30 am (CST) Event location nameOld Cedar AvenueAddress9551 Old Cedar Ave SBloomington,55425MN

Old Cedar Ave Brdge, 9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States

Bird Watching Trek

Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk. For these spring walks, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. With Waterfowl on the March and April walks. Followed by Sparrows and Warblers on the walks in M......More

Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk. For these spring walks, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. With Waterfowl on the March and April walks. Followed by Sparrows and Warblers on the walks in May. We will get to know the birds that migrate through the refuge each spring and those that stay to nest on the refuge. Bring along your binoculars, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather. Registration required: Date and Time: Tuesday, May 20th from 8:00-10:30am Location: Old Cedar Avenue – 9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55425 Registration Information: Registration is required for this program and is available on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges website. To register, go to the events page and click on the program date you would like to register for and click on the SignUp link. Please indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk. This program is capped at 25 participants. Activity Level: Easy-active, we will walk slowly and make frequent stops. Meet Us: Meet near the Old Cedar Avenue parking lot. Please consider carpooling with others in your party due to limited parking. What to Bring: If you have them, bring along binoculars and a favorite field guide. This program is held entirely outdoors, please dress appropriately for the weather. A cancellation notice will be sent via email to registered participants in the event of severe weather. Accessibility: A portable restroom is available at the Old Cedar Avenue pavilion. This walk takes place on mostly flat ground on paved trails, wooden boardwalks, and natural surface paths. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may not be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Very few benches or rest areas exist along the route, though the parking lot is a short distance away and provides a covered seating area. Program Leader: This program is led by Volunteer Naturalist Craig Mandel. Craig has been leading bird walks on the refuge for more than two decades. For questions about these walks, please contact Craig at 952-240-7647. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at [email protected]. Event date and timeMay 20, 2025 8:00 am – May 20, 2025 10:30 am (CST)

Old Cedar Ave Brdge, 9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States

Bird Watching Trek

Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk. For these spring walks, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. With Waterfowl on the March and April walks. Followed by Sparrows and Warblers on the walks i......More

Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk. For these spring walks, the birds observed will change as the season unfolds. With Waterfowl on the March and April walks. Followed by Sparrows and Warblers on the walks in May. We will get to know the birds that migrate through the refuge each spring and those that stay to nest on the refuge. Bring along your binoculars, favorite field guide and dress appropriately for the weather. Registration required: Date and Time: Saturday, May 31st from 8:00-10:30am Location: Old Cedar Avenue – 9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55425 Registration Information: Registration is required for this program and is available on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges website. To register, go to the events page and click on the program date you would like to register for and click on the SignUp link. Please indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk. This program is capped at 25 participants. Activity Level: Easy-active, we will walk slowly and make frequent stops. Meet Us: Meet near the Old Cedar Avenue parking lot. Please consider carpooling with others in your party due to limited parking. What to Bring: If you have them, bring along binoculars and a favorite field guide. This program is held entirely outdoors, please dress appropriately for the weather. A cancellation notice will be sent via email to registered participants in the event of severe weather. Accessibility: A portable restroom is available at the Old Cedar Avenue pavilion. This walk takes place on mostly flat ground on paved trails, wooden boardwalks, and natural surface paths. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may not be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Very few benches or rest areas exist along the route, though the parking lot is a short distance away and provides a covered seating area. Program Leader: This program is led by Volunteer Naturalist Craig Mandel. Craig has been leading bird walks on the refuge for more than two decades. For questions about these walks, please contact Craig at 952-240-7647. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at [email protected]. Event date and timeMay 31, 2025 8:00 am – May 31, 2025 10:30 am (CST) Event location nameOld Cedar AvenueAddress9551 Old Cedar Ave SBloomington,55425MN

Old Cedar Ave Brdge, 9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States

Bird Watching for Beginners

Bird Watching for Beginners This program will help the beginning bird watcher learn about choosing and using a pair of binoculars. You will also learn how to look at a bird and determine which field marks to look for, to help you identify them correctly. After the indoo......More

Bird Watching for Beginners This program will help the beginning bird watcher learn about choosing and using a pair of binoculars. You will also learn how to look at a bird and determine which field marks to look for, to help you identify them correctly. After the indoor portion of this program, we will take a short hike to observe some birds outdoors and learn some techniques to help you find and spot more birds. Date and Time: Saturday, May 31st from 1:00-2:30pm Location: Bloomington Education and Visitor Center – 3815 American Blvd E., Bloomington, MN, 55425 Registration Information: Registration required through SignUp.com, which you will find on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges website. Please indicate in your registration if you would like us to supply you with a pair of binoculars, that you can borrow during the program. This program is capped at 20 participants. Activity Level: Easy active, we will walk slowly and make frequent stops. Meet Us: Meet us inside the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center. What to Bring: If you have them, bring along binoculars and your favorite field guide. In the event of inclement weather, the entire program will be held indoors. Accessibility: Restrooms and water fountains are available inside the visitor center. Ramps are available to access all areas of the visitor center. Walking paths are a mixture of paved and natural flat paths with slight changes in elevation. Program Leader: This program is led by Volunteer Naturalist Craig Mandel. Craig has been leading bird walks on the refuge for more than two decades. For questions about these walks, please contact Craig at 952-240-7647. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at [email protected]. Event date and timeMay 31, 2025 1:00 pm – May 31, 2025 2:30 pm (CDT)Register HereEvent location nameBloomington Education and Visitor CenterAddress3815 American Blvd EBloomington,55425MN

MVNWR – Bloomington Visitor Center, 3815 American Blvd. E., Bloomington, 55425, United States

MRVAC Photography Special Interest Group

The MRVAC Photography Special Interest Group will meet for a hike at Old Cedar Avenue in Bloomington. Photographers at all levels of expertise are welcome to share techniques and tips. Bring your cameras for an afternoon on the trail.

Old Cedar Ave Brdge, 9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States