Waterfowl Observation Day

Come join us! The annual Waterfowl Observation Day, hosted by the Friends of the Refuge – Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8 (FOR78), the Friends of the Upper Mississippi (FUM), and the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, will be held Saturday, November 11th at the Brownsville Overlook near Brownsville, MN between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Visitors will be able to view migrating birds that have stopped to rest and feed before traveling to their wintering grounds.

Spotting scopes and bird identification guides will be available for visitors to enjoy. Refuge staff, members of FUM and FOR78, will assist with bird identification and answer related questions. Light refreshments will be available while supplies last, during this event only. All donations for refreshments will benefit FUM. Friends’ members will have wildlife-themed items available for purchase. Please dress for chilly weather!

The Brownsville Overlook is one of the best places along the river to view hundreds of tundra swans; diving and puddle ducks; bald eagles; and other birds. The overlook is located about three miles south of Brownsville, Minn., along MN Highway 26.

If you aren’t able to make the special event on November 11, a refuge naturalist will staff the Brownsville Overlook on Saturdays and Sundays from November 4th through November 19th between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., weather permitting.

For more information, contact the Upper Mississippi River Refuge – La Crosse District Office at (608) 779-2399 or stop by the visitor center at N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska, WI 54650. The Visitor Center winter hours are Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. during November through March.