Birdwatching Trek: Rapids Lake Visitor Center

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Join us for a spring walk on one of the many refuge units. Each spring offers a chance to observe a variety of birds that stop at the refuge during their spring migration. The early spring walks will feature waterfowl, and the later spring walks will see the first of the migrant sparrows and warblers of the season.

Date & Time: Sunday, May 5^th from 8:00-10:30 a.m.

Location: Rapids Lake Visitor Center - 15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN 55315

Registration Information: Registration required on SignUp.com. 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, but with a short but steep downhill walk from the parking lot. We will walk slowly and make frequent stops.

Meet Us: Meet outside the Rapids Lake visitor center 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 lightning or severe storms.

Accessibility: Outdoor restrooms are located at the visitor center, no water is available at this site. This walk takes place on mostly flat ground on a paved trail and natural surface paths. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may not be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. Participants will navigate a short, paved decline from the parking lot to the river valley. There are no benches or rest areas along the route.

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 this event for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, closed captioning or other accommodation needs to MinnesotaValley@fws.gov by close of business on Friday, August 19.