Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter http://mrvac.org MRVAC Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:55:19 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Sky Dance of the American Woodcock – MVNWR http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/sky-dance/ http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/sky-dance/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:23:02 +0000 Tracy Albinson http://mrvac.org/?p=2008 Come along on a journey to observe American Woodcock’s unforgettable aerial displays as twilight takes hold of the refuge.

Space is very limited. Reservations are required – please call 952-858-0715. No cameras or flashlights are allowed during this program. Please have sturdy footwear and wear dark, quiet clothing to avoid disturbing the birds.

For more specific ]]> Come along on a journey to observe American Woodcock’s unforgettable aerial displays as twilight takes hold of the refuge.

Space is very limited. Reservations are required – please call 952-858-0715. No cameras or flashlights are allowed during this program. Please have sturdy footwear and wear dark, quiet clothing to avoid disturbing the birds.

For more specific information, visit the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge event page: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/minnesotavalley/calendar.html.

  • Cliff Fen Trailhead, Friday, April 20, 7:45 pm to dark
  • Cliff Fen Trailhead, Tuesday, April 24, 7:45 pm
  • Rapids Lake Wednesday, April 25, 8:00 pm
  • Rapids Lake Friday, April 27, at 8:00 pm
  • Cliff Fen Trailhead, Tuesday, May 1, 8:00 pm
  • Cliff Fen Trailhead, Thursday, May 3, 8:00 pm
  • Cliff Fen Trailhead, Friday, May 5, 8:00 pm
]]> http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/sky-dance/feed/ 0 Connecting to Nature through Poetry – MVNWR http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/nature-through-poetry/ http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/nature-through-poetry/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:17:07 +0000 Tracy Albinson http://mrvac.org/?p=2006 Date: Saturday, April 7

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Place: Bloomington Visitor Center

Poetry interprets our world by painting pictures with words. Just as a good story draws you in, poetry provides emotional connections that enhance experiences. The processes of reading, writing, and reciting poetry provide opportunities to create images through the selection and structure of words. ]]> Date: Saturday, April 7

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Place: Bloomington Visitor Center

Poetry interprets our world by painting pictures with words. Just as a good story draws you in, poetry provides emotional connections that enhance experiences. The processes of reading, writing, and reciting poetry provide opportunities to create images through the selection and structure of words. Immerse yourself in some great poetry and creatively connect with the natural world. The Minnesota Valley Resource Center is a one-stop source for inspiration, reference, and entertainment for families, educators, literature, and nature lovers.

]]> http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/nature-through-poetry/feed/ 0 Carver Park Reserve http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/carver-park-reserve/ http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/carver-park-reserve/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:11:58 +0000 Tracy Albinson http://mrvac.org/?p=2004 Monday, May 7, 2012 beginning at 7:00 am

Please contact Craig Mandel to register – 952-546-3407

Carver Park reserve is an excellent birding location, with a nice variety of habitats. Join us for this early morning walk at the peak of spring migration. On past spring trips to Carver Park reserve, we have observed over ]]> Monday, May 7, 2012 beginning at 7:00 am

Please contact Craig Mandel to register – 952-546-3407

Carver Park reserve is an excellent birding location, with a nice variety of habitats. Join us for this early morning walk at the peak of spring migration. On past spring trips to Carver Park reserve, we have observed over 140 species of birds, including 14 species of sparrows and 23 species of warblers.

]]> http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/carver-park-reserve/feed/ 0 Beginning Bird Class (Hopkins Community Ed) http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/beginning-bird-class/ http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/beginning-bird-class/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:07:45 +0000 Tracy Albinson http://mrvac.org/?p=2001 First class is Monday, April 30 from 6:30-8:30 pm.

George Skinner, Anne Hanley 952-936-0811

Experience this popular pastime. Increase your observation skills and your knowledge of birds. Indoor session is followed by three local field trips. Instructors George Skinner and Anne Hanley will provide binoculars and field guides for class use, if needed.

Class will ]]> First class is Monday, April 30 from 6:30-8:30 pm.

George Skinner, Anne Hanley 952-936-0811

Experience this popular pastime. Increase your observation skills and your knowledge of birds. Indoor session is followed by three local field trips. Instructors George Skinner and Anne Hanley will provide binoculars and field guides for class use, if needed.

Class will meet outdoors on May 7, 14, and 21. Children ages 12 and up are welcome, if accompanied by an adult.

Fee includes Audubon membership and access to more free local field trips throughout the year. $27 course fee is per family.

To register: https://hopkins.thatscommunityed.com/course/winter-spring-adult-2012/beginning-bird-watching 

]]> http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/beginning-bird-class/feed/ 0 Purgatory Creek Park in Eden Prairie http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/purgatory-creek-park-2/ http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/purgatory-creek-park-2/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:03:17 +0000 Tracy Albinson http://mrvac.org/?p=1999 Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 6:30 pm until dusk

George Skinner, Anne Hanley 952-936-0811

This Eden Prairie park, just north of the Flagship Athletic Club and across the street from the SW Transit center, often has some interesting birds in or near the pond. We’ll hike around the north side of the lake to the ]]> Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 6:30 pm until dusk

George Skinner, Anne Hanley 952-936-0811

This Eden Prairie park, just north of the Flagship Athletic Club and across the street from the SW Transit center, often has some interesting birds in or near the pond. We’ll hike around the north side of the lake to the blind on the west side of the lake if time permits. The types of birds found varies with the water levels. Let’s see if the Caspian Terns are back.

]]> http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/purgatory-creek-park-2/feed/ 0 Bird Watching for Beginners – Rapids Lake Unit http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/bird-watching-for-beginners-3/ http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/bird-watching-for-beginners-3/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:01:02 +0000 Tracy Albinson http://mrvac.org/?p=1997 Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center, 15865 Carver Highlands Dr., Carver.

Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 9:00 – 10:30 am

Craig Mandel – 952-546-3407

Bird Watching is a hobby enjoyed by millions of Americans and you can learn how to enjoy it as well from a professional birder. You will learn how to find birds ]]> Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center, 15865 Carver Highlands Dr., Carver.

Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 9:00 – 10:30 am

Craig Mandel – 952-546-3407

Bird Watching is a hobby enjoyed by millions of Americans and you can learn how to enjoy it as well from a professional birder. You will learn how to find birds in their different habitats and will learn how to use a field guide and look for identifying features of birds such as eye rings, wing bars, and other distinctive markings. Spring is an exciting time to study birds, with a chance to study waterfowl, raptors, warblers and sparrows, all in one season.

Dress for the weather, as we will be outside, and bring along your binoculars. There will be extra binoculars to loan if you don’t have any.

]]> http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/bird-watching-for-beginners-3/feed/ 0 Wright County Birding Day http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/wright-county-birding-day/ http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/wright-county-birding-day/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:56:43 +0000 Tracy Albinson http://mrvac.org/?p=1995 Thursday, April 12, 2012, 7:00 am

Please contact Craig Mandel to register: 952-546-3407

Join us for a day of birding in Wright County. Some of the locations we may visit include Lake Maria State Park, Harry Larson Memorial county forest, Montissippi, Robert Ney Memorial and Stirewalt Memorial County Parks.

With lots of lakes and WMAs ]]> Thursday, April 12, 2012, 7:00 am

Please contact Craig Mandel to register: 952-546-3407

Join us for a day of birding in Wright County. Some of the locations we may visit include Lake Maria State Park, Harry Larson Memorial county forest, Montissippi, Robert Ney Memorial and Stirewalt Memorial County Parks.

With lots of lakes and WMAs we should have a chance to turn up some exciting birds. Some of the species of birds we will be looking for include Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush and the first Yellow-rumped Warblers of the spring.

]]> http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/wright-county-birding-day/feed/ 0 Southwestern Minnesota Birds http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/southwestern-minnesota-birds/ http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/southwestern-minnesota-birds/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:53:30 +0000 Tracy Albinson http://mrvac.org/?p=1993 Wed-Saturday, March 28-31, 2012, 6:00 pm

Please contact Craig Mandel to register: 952-546-3407

$35/non-MRVAC members; $25/MRVAC members

Join us on a trip to Southwestern Minnesota. We will begin the trip in the City of Slayton and check a couple nearby WMA’s that evening. During the rest of the trip, we will check for waterfowl and ]]> Wed-Saturday, March 28-31, 2012, 6:00 pm

Please contact Craig Mandel to register: 952-546-3407

$35/non-MRVAC members; $25/MRVAC members

Join us on a trip to Southwestern Minnesota. We will begin the trip in the City of Slayton and check a couple nearby WMA’s that evening. During the rest of the trip, we will check for waterfowl and early spring migrants in Murray and Cottonwood counties. Some of the other areas we may check are Lake Sarah, Lake Shetek State Park and Lake Shetek and Talcot Lake WMA.

With luck we will observe over 20 species of waterfowl, including Greater White-fronted, Ross’s, Cackling and lots of Canada Geese.

]]> http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/southwestern-minnesota-birds/feed/ 0 Bird Watching Trek at Old Cedar Ave Bridge http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/old-cedar-ave-bridge-5/ http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/old-cedar-ave-bridge-5/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:48:26 +0000 Tracy Albinson http://mrvac.org/?p=1991 Saturday, April 15, 2012 from 9:00 – 11:00 am

Craig Mandel 952-546-3407

April is an excellent time to search for all types of migrating birds including thrashers, thrush, the first warblers and we may even see the first ducklings! Birders of all skill levels are welcome on this walk.

Bring binoculars, and dress for mud ]]> Saturday, April 15, 2012 from 9:00 – 11:00 am

Craig Mandel 952-546-3407

April is an excellent time to search for all types of migrating birds including thrashers, thrush, the first warblers and we may even see the first ducklings! Birders of all skill levels are welcome on this walk.

Bring binoculars, and dress for mud and the weather.

]]> http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/old-cedar-ave-bridge-5/feed/ 0 Bird Watching Trek at Old Cedar Ave Bridge http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/old-cedar-ave-bridge-4/ http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/old-cedar-ave-bridge-4/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:47:15 +0000 Tracy Albinson http://mrvac.org/?p=1989 Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 8:00 – 10:00 am

Craig Mandel 952-546-3407

March is an excellent time to search for migrating waterfowl and we may see upwards of 20 species of different ducks, geese, and swans during this trek. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on this walk.

Bring binoculars, and dress for mud ]]> Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 8:00 – 10:00 am

Craig Mandel 952-546-3407

March is an excellent time to search for migrating waterfowl and we may see upwards of 20 species of different ducks, geese, and swans during this trek. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on this walk.

Bring binoculars, and dress for mud and the weather.

]]> http://mrvac.org/2012/02/28/old-cedar-ave-bridge-4/feed/ 0