BIRDING WALKS

Walks are scheduled in the morning to take full advantage of early bird activity. Several walks are repeated or are available on both days. Please check itinerary page for days and times these walks are scheduled.

This is one of the very best spots along the Mississippi River to watch for migrating warblers. Up to 34 species of warbler can be found at this park in spring and fall. Scan the tree tops and underbrush for neo-tropical migrants including Cerulean, Tennessee, Connecticut, Cape May, Magnolia, Bay-breasted, Chestnut-sided, and Black-throated Blue Warbler. This is also a great place for a variety of woodpeckers and the shoreline views produces good numbers of ducks. As many as 130 species have been counted at Hok-Si-La Park on this weekend.
Contact: Joanne Klees 651-345-3855

Butterflies, Birds & Blooms: Kellogg-Weaver Dunes, MN-Button Event  
Guides: Kim Risen ~ Sun 7:30-10 am

Location: Meet at Wabasha-Kellogg High School - 2113 Hiawatha Dr. E., Wabasha, MN
From Hwy 61 at Wabasha - Take Hwy 60 E to Hiawatha Dr.- continue for 1 mile to High School

A unique ecosystem situated along the Mississippi River, the Kellogg-Weaver Dunes are an official Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) in Minnesota. This area contains rolling sand dune topography on a terrace where the Mississippi, Chippewa, and Zumbro Rivers once came together. An oak savanna, with pin oak, burr oak, and jack pine occurs along the edges. Watch for such species as Eastern Meadowlarks, Orchard Orioles, Grasshopper, Lark and Field Sparrows, Dickcissels, Sandhill Cranes, and Upland Sandpipers. The Weaver Dunes are the perfect place to search for prairie butterflies like the endangered Regal Fritillary and the Karner Blue Butterfly. We may see 20 or more other species of butterflies. If you like wildflowers, this unique dune habitat is also home to a diversity of prairie plants. During early spring, you can expect to see blooming Prairie Smoke, Creamy Wild Indigo, Prairie Buttercups, Hoary Puccoon, Spiderwort and many other prairie species. This unique habitat also holds the largest breeding population of the endangered Blandings Turtle.

Backwaters Boardwalk: Sand Point Delta, Frontenac State Park, MN- Button Event  
Guides: Kim Risen ~ Fri 7-9 am
Guides: Bruce Ause ~ Sat 7-9 am
Guides: Chris Benson ~ Sat 10-Noon
Guides: Carol Brysky ~ Sun 7-9 am
Guides: John Hokenia ~ Sun 10-Noon

Huge Cottonwood and Maple trees stand ankle deep in spring flood waters making this boardwalk hike reminiscent of a trip through a southern swamp. The boardwalk will take you through the floodplain forest to a sandy point along the river's edge. While walking the boardwalk, listen for breeding Acadian Flycatcher, Prothonotary Warblers, and Pileated and Red-headed Woodpeckers. Scarlet Tanager, Louisiana Waterthrush and Bell's Vireo can also be found here. At the river's edge, follow the sandy shoreline and search the mud flats for shorebirds such as migrating Piping Plover, Red Knot, and Hudsonian Godwit.

Alma , Wisconsin

Birding,Wildlife and Flora/Fauna Opportunities
Alma, Wisconsin : Located on State Highway 35 North

Bald Eagles - Feeding in open water below Lock/Dam #4 - during the winter in the open water just below Lock & Dam #4. View the eagles in downtown Alma along River Street.

Peregrine Falcons - The box nest is located in Alma öHwy. 35 North 450 feet up on the Dairyland Power Smoke Stack. To observe the birding cycle close up Dairyland Power has a camera attached to box nest. Late March back in nest, eggs laid early May-young falcons fledging early July.
Real-time camera site:
www.dairynet.com/about/2005_birdcam.html
for history of the falcons click on For Our Earth page

Mossy Hollow Trails - South end of downtown Alma on State Hwy. 35 to Mossy Hollow sign/Cemetary Road. Follow the signs to the trail. This goes up the bluff with several groomed trails. Also a spot at eye level with the Falcon nest. This area has numerous song birds, wildlife and flora/fauna. Best walking Spring thru Fall. More information: www.almawisconsin.com

Tundra Swans - The Alma Tundra Swan Watch starts in late October to the end of November. Hundreds of swans are migrating from North Canada and Alaska to the Chesapeake Bay along with other water fowl and eagles, they stop at Rieck's Lake Park area to feed and rest. Volunteers and spotting scopes are available during this time. The park is located 3 miles North of downtown Alma on Highway 35. More information: www.almaswanwatch.org

Free Boat Launching (During Festival)
Button Event
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Camp LaCupolis, MN
Hwy 61 S (8 miles south of Lake City)
Contact: Bea Koch - (651) 565-4318

Mississippi Nature Photography Exhibit and Sales
Riverdock Photography (Deb and Gary Rodock)
Button Event
Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Camp LaCupolis Resort, Rainbow Room
Hwy 61 S (8 miles south of Lake City)
Contact: Bea Koch - (651) 565-4318

Songbird Painting Exhibit and Sales
Button Event
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 - 5:00pm
Location: Art & Soul Gallery
Contact: Donna Krebsbach
Observe one of the area's most accomplished watercolor artist Gail Pommerening painting songbirds of the area.
Also available for sale in the Gallery - new poster release by Jean Accola "Native Flora of the Upper Mississippi"

Bird Banding with Carpenter Nature Center
Instructor: Jim Fitzpatrick, Director Carpenter Nature Center
Guides: Al Batt & Chris Benson
Button Event
Sat. May 13: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: Hok-Si-La Park, Lake City, Minnesota
Contact: Park Manager - (651) 345-3855
Have you ever wanted to see birds up close? Here is a great opportunity for folks of all ages to get up close to birds. Nets will be set up in various locations in the park. Jim Fitzpatrick will take folks out to inspect the nets and teach us about bird banding. Hopefully weather conditions will be just right for lots of bird activity. Please do not disturb birds in the nets. They should only be handled by trained personal.

Live Birds of Prey - University of MN Raptor Center
11:30 AM
Location: Wild Wings Gallery (Outside Woods)
Hwy 61 S of Lake City
Contact: (651) 345-3663
Open: Friday & Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Ducks on a Stick (Workshop)
Sponsored by Brian with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Come prepared to ask questions!
Presentations at 1:15 - 2:00 PM & 2:15 - 3:00 PM
Location: American Legion
224 S Washington Street
Contact: Lake City Chamber of Commerce (651) 345-4123

'Mussels of the Mississippi'
Mike Davis - DNR
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Contact: Lake City Chamber of Commerce (651) 345-4123
Mike Davis' powerpoint presentation on Mussels is one not to miss. Mike works out of the Lake City DNR office and has over 15 years of experience wit Mussels in the Mississippi.

Wild Wings Art Gallery
Hours of Operation: Friday & Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Hwy 61 S of Lake City
Contact: (651) 345-3663

Night Sky Viewing
Button Event
8:00 - 10:00 PM
Location: Commnuity Center, Frontenac
From Hwy 61 N of Lake City in Frontenac take Goodhue County 2.
From Goodhue County 2 take first left onto Territorial Road.
Community Center is on your right.
Contact: Lake City Chamber of Commerce (651) 345-4123
Adam Schimbeno will be hosting a presentation of night sky viewing in beautiful Frontenac.
A seperate presentation will be held if it is overcast.

Wildlife ID Scavenger Hunt
Button Event
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Drawing at 12:00 Noon at Hok-Si-La Park on Sunday
Location: Lake City Downtown Businesses
Contact: Lake City Chamber of Commerce (651) 345-4123
Pick up your list of treasures to search for at any of the Early Bird Breakfast Businesses. Participating businesses will check each item off as you locate it. When you are finished, enter your name in the drawing for some unique prizes.

Bluebird House Building Class
Button and $3 fee for materials
Location: Lowtis Woodworks
406 N. 10th St. Lake City, MN
Contact: (651) 345-6424
A fun event for the whole family!
Learn how to build your own home for Bluebirds to watch this spring, by professionals that build it all! This class will offer simple, step-by-step instructions for building a bluebird house to set up in your backyard.

"Nose to Beak" Experience Live Eagles
Button Event
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday - Open 10:00 - 4:00 PM, Feeding at 1:00 PM
Location: National Eagle Center
152 Main St. Wabasha, MN
Contact: (651) 565-4989
A fun and educational experience for all ages! Visitors can view Live Bald Eagles Harriet, Angel and Challenger during feeding beginning at 1:00. Hear educational presentations about eagles, why they come to the Mississippi River area, about their habitat and migration routes, etc.