Minnesota River Valley - Audubon Chapter

Bird Walks with Bob
2026-09-26 08:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Bass Ponds, 2501 86th St. E., Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States
Hello birders. Join me for all-levels welcome bird walks in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Dakota Counties. Our past walks have been well attended by both beginning birders and top-shelf veterans. Bring your cameras, binoculars, guides, and phone apps while we look and listen for birds of the season. Bring water and dress accordingly.
I am a current MRVAC member having recently served on its board as an ad hoc member for 3+ years and now have shifted my love of birds to field trips. We take a light-hearted approach to these trips and mistakes are par for all of us so don’t worry about this common phenomenon.
All walks are weather dependent. If severe weather is predicted I may cancel. It helps me if you let me know in advance if you are attending but no registration is required.
Bob Brereton
Text or call 651 775 7982
rhb@homecustomizers.com
September 26, 2026: 8:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m. Bass Ponds Trailhead in Bloomington. 2501 86th St E, Bloomington, MN. There is limited free parking as Old Cedar Bridge has lost some of its parking for construction at Long Meadow Lake. There is an all-concrete outhouse at the bottom of the dread Bass Ponds access road. One will not find a better spot than Bass Ponds anywhere on the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers just downstream presents a rich series of habitats for birds using the two major flyways. Lots of trail improvements are in place here and Ike’s Creek has been reworked with erosion controls and a new shortie pedestrian bridge feeding one into a compact trail around the storied Bass Ponds.

Bird Watching Trek
2026-09-29 08:00 - 10:30 | Bass Ponds, 2501 86th St. E., Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States
Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a bird walk to learn about the birds that we find on the refuge. Learn about the different types of habitats at the refuge that support over 100 species of birds, many of which migrate through and nest on the refuge during certain times of the year. No experience needed, this program is intended for those interested in birding regardless of experience level. Registration required.
Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900.
September 29, 2026, from 8-10:30am
Location: Meet us at Upper Trailhead at Bass Ponds – 2501 86th St E, Bloomington, MN 55425
Registration Information: Registration required. Capped at 25 participants. Please visit the Minnesota Valley NWR’s website and go to the events page to register for this event.
Please indicate in your registration if you would like to receive a birding summary and species list from the walk.
Activity Level: This program is entirely outdoors. Distance covered is 1-2 miles total. The walk is easy active, slow moving, with plenty of stops along the way.
What to Bring: Comfortable clothing is recommended, including boots for wet/rainy conditions on muddy trails. If you have them, bring along your own pair of binoculars and field guides. Volunteers have spotting scopes available for all to use as well.
Accessibility: Accessibility at Bass Ponds:
Restrooms are located at the lower trailhead, a short 0.3 mile, but steep, downhill walk on paved road from the parking lot. 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 (952) 854-5900 for the gate code. There are no water fountains at this location. Trails are natural surface, mostly flat. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter) and may not always be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. There are two benches along the trail near the fishing piers.
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
Sep 29, 2026, 8:00 am – Sep 29, 2026, 10:30 am (CDT)
Register Here
Event location name
Bass Ponds
Address
2501 86th St E
Bloomington,
55425
MN

MRVAC Photography Special Interest Group (SIG) Outdoor Bird Walk on second Monday evenings
2026-10-12 17:30 - 19:30 | Old Cedar Ave Brdge, 9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States
Please join MRVAC Photography Special Interest Group for outdoor photography bird walks.
We will meet at 5:30pm. The location is Old Cedar Avenue Bridge.
