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 17 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 oscar_hernandez@fws.gov.

Event date and time
May 17, 2025 8:00 am – May 17, 2025 10:30 am (CST)