Bob Russell Spring Birding Day

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Saturday, May 10, 2025

Meet in room 150, New Science Center | Driving Directions

registration

Register to join us starting at either 5:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. for birding in Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum. Binoculars are available if needed. Dress for the weather – we go rain or shine! Make a day of it! Register for our Spring Wildflowers program taking place in the afternoon.

  • $20 – Outdoor U Members & Audubon Members
  • $30 – Non-Members
  • Cost includes guided birding walks, morning snacks (i.e. fruit, granola bars, etc.) and buffet lunch.

Schedule

  • 5:00 -5:30 a.m. Early group check-in, New Science 140
  • 5:30 – 8:00 a.m. Birding in the Abbey Arboretum
  • 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Early group returns for refreshments/break; additional check-in for late group
  • 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. All participants continue birding in the Abbey Arboretum
  • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Lunch (included in registration price)

Register by NOON on Thursday, May 8. NO REFUNDS after noon on May 8, except in case of event cancellation.

A bald eagle sits in a large nest made of twigs and branches, surrounded by green pine trees. The eagle is facing forward, displaying its white head and sharp beak.
A black and white adult loon with a characteristic checkered back and a grey downy chick swim closely together on a lake, surrounded by calm, blue-green water. The adult's red eyes are striking against its sleek, dark head.
A small bird with dark, patterned feathers perches on the tip of a cattail. The background is soft and blurred, featuring more cattails. The scene has a muted, natural color palette.

About

Saint John’s Outdoor University brings you a day of hiking through an Audubon designated Important Bird Area in Minnesota during peak migration! In the morning, we’ll stay on the 2,500 acres of Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum and do all our birding by walking. We have seen 100+ species in past years at Saint John’s. Early risers will be stunned by the abundance of birds active early in the day.

Sitings in recent years have included: Gray-cheeked thrush, Cerulean warbler, Mourning warbler, Eastern towhee, Avocet, Harris sparrow and more! View an index of bird species that have been spotted at Saint John’s, and print your own birding checklists.

Our birding day is  named in memory of Bob Russell (1945-2019). Bob served on the Outdoor U Advisory Council from 2006-2014, lending his vast expertise to the stewardship and environmental education in the Abbey Arboretum. Bob retired from a long career with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2015 and was generous with his passion for birding (a life list of 1200+ species!) as he helped organize and lead our annual spring birding walks for the community.