Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a bird walk to learn about the birds that nest on the refuge. Learn about the different types of habitats at the refuge that support over 100 species of nesting birds. Some of the species we may see include trumpeter swan, bald eagle, wood duck, willow flycatcher and yellow warbler.

Date and Time: Saturday, August 24th from 8:00am-10:30am

Location: Rapids Lake Visitor Center – 15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN 55315

Registration Information: Registration for this program. To register visit the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge website. Select the program you are interested in registering for and you will be taken to the sign up page. 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 at the Rapids Lake Visitor Center. Enter through the main doors.

What to Bring: Meet outside the Rapids Lake visitor center near the parking lot. Please consider carpooling with others in your party due to limited parking.

Accessibility: Outdoor restrooms are located at the visitor center; no water is available at this site. This walk takes place on mostly flat ground on a paved trail and natural surface paths. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may not be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Participants will navigate a short, paved decline from the parking lot to the river valley. There are no benches or rest areas along the route.

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 oscar_hernandez@fws.gov.