Beginning birders
Afton State Park
7-8 p.m. Friday
Join the naturalist for a stroll and learn about the basic techniques of bird identification during spring migration. Binoculars and bird guides will be available. (651-231-6968, mndnr.gov)
Bird bonanza
St. Croix State Park
8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Spend the day birding in Minnesota's largest state park. Visit between 8 and 11:30 a.m. to participate in an interactive bird banding session. Follow the signs along the road to the wildlife pond by the park office and park along the road. Bring binoculars to help spot birds along the trails in the afternoon. Then meet inside the St. Croix Lodge to see a live bird program by the Audubon Center of the North Woods from 5 to 6 p.m. (1-320-384-6591, mndnr.gov).
Migratory Bird Day
Saturday is an educational, active day in the birding world, and there are events to mark it. (International Migratory Bird Day has been celebrated since 1993.)
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Bloomington