Local Minnesota Birding Events
🗓️ May 2, 2026
7:00 am – 9:00 am
Spring Birding Walk – Carpenter Nature Center (MN Campus)
Join a naturalist-led morning bird walk during peak migration season. Learn to identify returning songbirds by sight and sound along forest and prairie trails.
https://carpenternaturecenter.org/
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🗓️ May 2, 2026
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Washington County Bird Hike
Guided bird hike through local parks focusing on spring migration. Expect warblers, sparrows, and other returning species while learning birding techniques.
https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/2174/Bird-Hikes
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🗓️ May 5, 2026
7:00 am – 8:30 am
Early Birders – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Join experienced birders for a morning walk through Eloise Butler as migration ramps up. Focus on identifying warblers and other early migrants.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ May 9, 2026
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Spring Birding Festival – Carpenter Nature Center
Celebrate peak migration with guided bird hikes, bird banding demonstrations, and family-friendly activities focused on birds and conservation.
https://carpenternaturecenter.org/
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🗓️ May 9, 2026
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Washington County Bird Hike
Another opportunity to explore spring bird migration with a guided hike through Washington County parks.
https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/2174/Bird-Hikes
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🗓️ May 12, 2026
7:00 am – 8:30 am
Early Birders – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
A guided early morning birding walk focused on peak migration activity and song identification.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ May 16, 2026
7:00 am – 10:00 am
World Migratory Bird Day Bird Walk – River Bend Nature Center
Celebrate global bird migration with a guided walk through diverse habitats. Learn about conservation efforts and the importance of migratory pathways.
https://rbnc.org/
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🗓️ May 19, 2026
7:00 am – 8:30 am
Early Birders – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Continue exploring spring migration with experienced birders during this popular early morning program.
https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/eloise_butler_wildflower_garden_and_bird_sanctuary/
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🗓️ May 23, 2026
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Washington County Bird Hike
Late-May birding hike focusing on breeding birds and late migrants.
https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/2174/Bird-Hikes
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🗓️ May 26, 2026
7:00 am – 8:30 am
Early Birders – Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Wrap up the spring migration season with a guided early birding walk at Eloise Butler.
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 (May)
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Live Owl Programs – International Owl Center
The International Owl Center is open Fridays through Mondays. Live owl programs are typically offered at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, featuring ambassador owls and expert interpretation.
https://www.internationalowlcenter.org/
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🗓️ May (Select Dates)
Morning hours
Bagels & Birds – River Bend Nature Center
Relaxed indoor/outdoor birdwatching program with coffee, bagels, and staff-led bird identification during the spring migration season.
https://rbnc.org/
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Special April Nature & Birding-Related Events
🗓️ May 9, 2026
All day
World Migratory Bird Day
A global celebration of migratory birds and conservation awareness. Events and bird walks take place worldwide.
https://www.migratorybirdday.org/
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🗓️ May (Peak Migration Season)
Various times
North American Spring Migration
May is peak migration across North America, making it one of the best times to observe warblers, shorebirds, and other migratory species in Minnesota and beyond.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/
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