Local Minnesota Birding Events
🗓️ February 3, 2026
10:00 am – 11:15 am
Winter Nature Walk (AM) – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Explore the winter landscape with a Garden naturalist, focusing on wildlife activity, tracks, and seasonal adaptations.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ February 3, 2026
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Winter Nature Walk (PM) – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
An afternoon guided walk offering another opportunity to observe winter wildlife and enjoy time outdoors with a Garden naturalist.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ February 6, 2026
11:00 am – 11:30 am
Winter Nature Storytime (Spanish) – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
A short, family-friendly nature storytime presented in Spanish, featuring songs and seasonal themes at The Trailhead.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ February 7, 2026
9:30 am – 11:00 am
Winter Early Birders at the Beach – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Join a guided winter birding walk at Wirth Lake Beach to look for waterbirds and hardy winter species with a Garden naturalist.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ February 10, 2026
10:00 am – 11:15 am
Winter Birding Walk (AM) – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Learn to identify common winter birds by sight and sound on a guided walk led by a Garden naturalist.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ February 10, 2026
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Winter Birding Walk (PM) – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
An afternoon session exploring winter birdlife in Theodore Wirth Park, suitable for all experience levels.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ February 13–16, 2026
All Day
Great Backyard Bird Count
Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds.
Step 1: Decide where you will watch birds.
Step 2: Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 13–16, 2026.
Step 3: Identify all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings:
👉 If you are a beginning bird admirer and new to bird identification, try using the Merlin Bird ID app to tell us what birds you are seeing or hearing.
👉 If you have participated in the count before and want to record numbers of birds, try the eBird Mobile app or enter your bird list on the eBird website (desktop/laptop).
Great Backyard Bird Count
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🗓️ February 13, 2026
11:00 am – 11:30 am
Winter Nature Storytime – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
A brief, engaging storytime celebrating winter nature, designed for young children and caregivers.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ February 17, 2026
10:00 am – 11:15 am
Winter Birding Walk (AM) – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Discover how birds survive Minnesota winters on a guided morning birding walk with a Garden naturalist.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ February 17, 2026
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Winter Birding Walk (PM) – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
A repeat afternoon session of the winter birding walk, offering another chance to practice identification skills.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ February 24, 2026
10:00 am – 11:15 am
Winter Family Nature Adventure (AM) – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
A family-focused outdoor program exploring how animals and plants adapt to winter conditions.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ February 24, 2026
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Winter Family Nature Adventure (PM) – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
An afternoon session of this hands-on, family-friendly winter nature program led by a Garden naturalist.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ February 27, 2026
11:00 am – 11:30 am
Winter Nature Storytime – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
End the month with a cozy nature storytime celebrating winter wildlife and seasonal change.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays (February)
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Live Owl Programs – International Owl Center
The International Owl Center is open Fridays through Mondays in February. Live owl programs featuring ambassador owls and expert interpretation are typically offered at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm on open days.
https://www.internationalowlcenter.org/
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🗓️ Select Saturdays & Sundays (February)
Program times vary
Masters of the Sky – Carpenter Nature Center
Live raptor programs featuring owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles, with educational interpretation on bird adaptations, behavior, and conservation. Programs are offered on select February weekends.
https://carpenternaturecenter.org/plan-your-visit/annual-events/masters-of-the-sky/
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🗓️ Select Weekend Mornings (February)
Morning hours
Bagels & Birds – River Bend Nature Center (Faribault)
A relaxed winter birding program held on select February mornings. Enjoy bagels and coffee while observing birds from the warmth of the interpretive center, with staff on hand to help with identification and discussion.
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/janfebmarprograms/event/bagelsbirdsjan26/
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🗓️ Multiple Dates (February)
Morning hours
Washington County Bird Hikes
Guided bird hikes led by local experts in Washington County parks. These winter walks focus on identifying hardy resident birds and exploring seasonal habitats. Offered on multiple February dates.
https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/2174/Bird-Hikes
National Birding Events
🗓️ February 13–16, 2026
Any time
Great Backyard Bird Count
A global citizen-science event encouraging birders of all experience levels to count birds and submit observations to help scientists track bird populations worldwide.
https://www.birdcount.org/
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🗓️ February 27 – March 1, 2026
Various times
Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic
The nation’s largest upland bird and habitat conservation event, featuring seminars, exhibits, and conservation education relevant to birders and wildlife enthusiasts.
https://pheasantsforever.org/Pheasant-Fest.aspx
General Resources
- Index to exploring birds in each of Minnesota’s 64 State Parks: https://moumn.org/parks.html
- MOU facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MNornithU/
- MOU affiliated Bird Clubs: https://moumn.org/clubs.html