Bird Watching Trek
2026-07-18 08:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Old Cedar Ave Brdge, 9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN, 55425, United States
July 18 @ 8:00 am – 10:30 am CDT
Free
Birdwatching Trek: Old Cedar Avenue
Join refuge naturalist Craig Mandel for a spring bird walk. On these walks, the focus will be observing and
documenting the species of birds that nest on the refuge. Over the summer we will visit a number of different trails,
which will offer different species of birds to observe. Some of the species of birds we will be searching for include
Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, Willow & Great-crested Flycatchers, Yellow-throated, Warbling & Red-eyed Vireos
and American Redstarts. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on these walks.
Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900.
Date and Time: Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 8-10:30am
Location: Meet us at the OCA parking lot at Old Cedar Avenue.
9551 Old Cedar Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55425
Registration Information: Registration required through Signup.com, which is available on the Minnesota Valley NWR’s website. Capped at 25 participants.
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 Old Cedar Avenue:
Restrooms and water fountains are available seasonally, from last frost to first frost typically. The restrooms are managed by the City of Bloomington. There is dedicated handicap parking. A portable restroom is available on site. Bluff and Hogback Ridge trails are nature surface. Bluff trail features a wooden boardwalk and has many steep inclines and declines approximately 0.25 miles in, but connects to the Minnesota Valley State trail 3.4 miles in, which is a flat and paved path. The pedestrian bridge is a flat concrete path. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter). Paths may not always be suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There are no benches on the trails, but rest areas are located at the pavilion, Nature Play Area, and fishing pier. Trailhead is a

MRVAC Photography Special Interest Group (SIG) Outdoor Bird Walk on second Monday evenings
2026-08-10 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-14 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-10-12 17:30 - 19:30
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.
