Local Minnesota Birding Events
🗓️ April 4, 2026
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Guided Bird Hike – Carpenter Nature Center (MN Campus)
Join an expert birder for a spring walk around Carpenter Nature Center in Hastings to learn bird identification by sight and sound on local trails.
https://carpenternaturecenter.org/· ·
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🗓️ April 6, 2026
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Bagels & Birds – River Bend Nature Center
The first Saturday birding program of April: enjoy coffee and bagels while watching birds through the interpretive center’s windows and discussing sightings with fellow birders.
https://rbnc.org/upcoming-programs (turn1search27)
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🗓️ April 11, 2026 (Note: This one is across the border in Wisconsin)
8:00 am – 10:00 am
Guided Bird Hike – Carpenter Nature Center (Wisconsin Campus)
Explore wooded trails with local experts from the St. Croix Valley Bird Club and learn birding basics; registration is required (Minnesota residents welcome).
https://carpenternaturecenter.org/events (turn1search3)
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🗓️ Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays (April)
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Live Owl Programs – International Owl Center (Houston, MN)
The International Owl Center offers live owl interpretation programs at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm on its regular open days — a great way to learn about owl biology, behavior, and conservation this spring.
https://www.internationalowlcenter.org/ (turn0search17)
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🗓️ April 15 – October 15, 2026 (Garden Season)
Tuesday–Sunday, 7:30 am – 6:00 pm (Thursdays until 8:00 pm)
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary Opening Season
The Garden reopens for its 119th season on April 15, offering birding and nature viewing as spring unfolds with native flora and early migrants. Early Birders and seasonal guided tours begin during the spring and summer season.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ Multiple Dates (April)
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Washington County Bird Hikes
Spring guided bird hikes through Washington County Parks are offered on multiple weekend dates in April. These walks focus on identifying migrating birds and listening for spring songbirds while contributing to citizen science data.
https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/2174/Bird-Hikes
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Special April Nature & Birding-Related Events
🗓️ April 25, 2026
7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Earth Day Birding Festival – Carpenter Nature Center
Celebrate spring birding at this annual festival in Hastings with guided field trips, a youth birding competition, live raptor presentations, and family-friendly birding activities throughout the day.
https://carpenternaturecenter.org/ (turn1search1)
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