Birdwatching Trek @ Bass Ponds
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.

Drake wood duck near submerged stick.
Image Details
Date and Time: Sunday, August 20 at 8:00 – 10:30 a.m.

Location: Bass Ponds, 2501 86th St. E, Bloomington, 55425 MN

Registration is required for this program. To register for this program please visit the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuges website. Then go to their events page and choose the program you’re interested in registering for. Note these programs are capped at 25 participants.

Activity Level: Easy-active, we will walk slowly and make frequent stops.

Meet Us: Meet at the upper Bass Ponds trailhead near the 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: Restrooms are located at the lower trailhead, a short but steep downhill walk from the parking lot. This walk takes place on mostly flat ground on a paved service road, wooden boardwalks, and natural surface paths. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may not be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. There are no benches or rest areas along the route. Persons who cannot travel the steep hill from the upper to the lower trailhead on foot may receive a gate code to drive down to the lower lot. Please call or email the refuge for accommodations: 952-854-5900 or minnesotavalley@fws.gov.

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.