WEDNESDAY EVENING EAGLE WATCH

WATCH THE TWO YOUNG KELLER LAKE EAGLES IN THEIR NEST (ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF HWY 36 AND WEST OF HWY 61 IN MAPLEWOOD, MN) WITH DUKE ADDICKS

WHEN: 7 PM on most Wednesday evenings in June and July 2010, until the young eagles have fledged—left the nest forever. Call Duke at 651-643-0622 to confirm that he will be there.

WHAT: View the nest and young eagles through Duke’s spotting scope. Listen to Duke as he relates eagle legends and lore.

WHO: Mississippi River historian, storyteller, and eagle expert, Duke Addicks is on the volunteer staff of the National Eagle Center, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota.

WHERE: MEET AT THE SPOON LAKE FISHING AREA PARKING LOT AT 7 PM.

Directions to Keller Lake

FROM HWY 61: turn west at the first set of stoplights north of Highway 36 onto County Road C. Go west to Lske Gervais. and turn South (left) at the T onto Keller Lake Parkway. Follow the Parkway to a stop sign and go left and park in the Spoon Lake Fishing Area Parking Lot.

AT THE PARKING LOT: Look for Duke’s white Volkswagen convertible. Walk east from the parking lot about fifty yards along the lakeshore to the viewing station.

Duke's 2010 Summer Programs at the Stevens House

Wear your sturdy shoes, bring bug repellent, and walk back in time to the various sites of the Ancient American Indian Villages at the mouth of Nine Mile Creek. Learn the human and natural history of this ancient place which has been inhabited for at least 8,000 years and was in historic times the summer planting village of the Mdewakantonwan Chiefs Penichon,The Dauntless, and Good Road. The Wabasha, Black Dog and Red Wing made their summer homes here for awhile as well. Find out how the Indians lived and listen to some of their stories. As the Full Moon rises, courting songs like those heard here many years ago will be played on an eagle-effigy cedar flute by Refuge Naturalist and Historian (and Chief Justice and Storyteller for the Three Rivers Indian Community) Duke Addicks.

At the Bloomington Ferry Unit
(take Bloomington Ferry Road south to the river)
For more information (952) 854-5900

Harvest Moon Bike Ride by the River

Meet at the Bloomington Ferry parking lot. From Old Shakopee Road, go south on Bloomington Ferry Road then right onto Bloomington Ferry Circle.

Bring your bike, helmet, and binoculars. Watch and listen for wildlife especially great horned owls, as we ride the paved trail through the prairie along the river on the edge of the floodplain forest and then take a short walk to Rice Lake where Chief Eagle Head had his summer village. Learn about the wildlife we will observe and listen to stories about the Indians, fur traders and early settlers in the area. Return under the almost-full moon. The ride will be about 4 miles round trip. A serenade to the full moon will be played on an American Indian cedar flute. Led by Refuge Historian and Naturalist Duke Addicks.

Great Horned Owl Moon Minnesota River Walk

Explore under the full moon the human and natural history of the Minnesota River at a unique historic site where wildlife abounds. Listen and watch for great horned owls who are establishing their nesting territory. For eight thousand years, this location was a major river crossing for the American Indians. Later the Bloomington Ferry crossed the river here and eventually a bridge was built. View the wildlife along the shore and through prairie and floodplain forests. Learn who the American Indians were who lived here for 8,000 years and listen to some of their legends. Discover who the explorers, fur traders, steamboat operators, ferry operators and early pioneers were in this area.

At the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
3815 East 80th St., Bloomington, Minn. 55425
Go south from I-394 on 34th, then left on 80th.
Call (952) 858-0740 for reservations. No fee.

Eagle Watching in the Twin Cities Area
Visitor Center and Black Dog Lake Unit

The American Bald Eagle has made a comeback. Many pairs now nest in and near the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and many hundreds more come here to spend the winter. Refuge Naturalist and eagle expert Duke Addicks will tell us all about eagles, including why they are here, how they survive and where the many locations are where they can best be observed (including the refuge itself.) Duke, a storyteller for the Three Rivers Indian Community, will also tell an American Indian eagle tale or two. Information about the upcoming Eagle Watching Van Tours will also be given. Then Duke will lead those interested who will take their own cars and drive to the Black Dog Unit of the Refuge to observe wild Bald Eagles along the Minnesota River.