Itasca's Take Flight! Spotting Spring Birds

Description

May and early June are exciting months for birding the forests and lakes around the Mississippi Headwaters. Discover the songs and sights of Minnesota's spring migratory birds! Join birder and instructor Ron Miller MD for a birding walk in Itasca State Park to discover recent arrived breeding birds as well as species passing through on their northward migration.

Are you new to birding? Don't worry birders of all levels are welcome - this program is designed to improve birding knowledge, create field skills through song recognition and have fun watching birds outdoors. Ron, an avid fly fisherman, began birding waiting for the trout to rise and has taught indoor bird watching classes to beginning and experienced birders for the past several years. Bring your own binoculars and guidebook, or borrow ones we have here (limited numbers are available). Join us and explore local birding hotspots in the park on a beautiful late spring morning. A perfect way to start your day!

WHAT TO BRING: Bring binoculars and bird field guide books. Itasca State Park has some binoculars to lend. Wear comfortable shoes for walking and appropriate layers for the temperatures. Insect repellent and a hat are useful. Bring snack and water if you need it for this short outing. You will need a vehicle if we travel to the Headwaters area.

7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.: Social gathering in the lobby of Douglas Lodge: Arrive early and join us for coffee and mini-muffins as we visit with Ron prior to the start of the birding field trip.

8 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Birding Field Trip: Join Ron Miller as he leads us on a birding field trip in Itasca State Park. Stops will include either the Dr. Roberts Trail or Mississippi Headwaters area depending on bird activity.