Evening Birding and Paddling Outing on the Mississippi River

Evening Birding and Kayaking Outing on the Mississippi River

On Tuesday evening, March 26th, immediately following the day's sessions, arrangements have been made for two exciting activities providing an opportunity to really connect with the Mississippi River. Our destination will be the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary on the Mississippi River. Choose from 2 great activities:  sunset birding at the Sanctuary during the peak of the spring migration  an hour of kayaking and experience the Mississippi River Water Trail.

Birding Hike The Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a 3700 acre floodplain preserve of restored agricultural lands located in the floodway between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers just above their confluence.

Join Audubon Center ecologists for a fun and informative walk in the magnificent bird habitats of the Riverlands Sanctuary. Over 325 species of songbirds and waterfowl live in or migrate through the Sanctuary located within a nationally-recognized Important Bird Area, at the center of the most significant flyways in the world.

Kayaking An avid kayaker and wildlife ecologist will lead the group, presenting novice and seasoned paddlers with a taste of kayaking on the Mighty Mississippi and its amazing backwaters and side channels. Paddlers will be able to say they paddled a portion of a blue trail that was recently recognized as only the second U.S. National Water Trail. (Limited to 20 people)

Weather permitting, participants in both groups will be treated to an amazing "over the water" sunset along this west to east river reach. After an evening of river-ratting both groups will join up at the beautiful Audubon Center at Riverlands for heavy hors d'oeuvres; local craft beer and wine and plenty of camaraderie.

Important Note regarding registration: Although a large group can be accommodated for the birding hike the paddling opportunity will be limited to the first twenty sign-ups.

Clothing/equipment:

Please prepare for being too hot or too cold, any time of year. Weather changes in the spring can be extreme.

Paddlers, cotton clothing is not recommended. Fleece dries quickly, and can be easily wrung out, as does poly-pro and silk. As in all seasons, prepare to get wet. Even though you might not intend to enter the water, there may be splashing water, waves, paddle drips, and rain is always a possibility, as well as a kayak overturn. It's always best to be prepared. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided.

Cost per participant: $TBD

Links below to Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Audubon Center, Water Trail, and map of Sanctuary. http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Rivers/RMBSMAP.htm http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/rivers/RMBS.html http://riverlands.audubon.org/m http://www.greatriverwatertrail.org/

Itinerary/Timeline

5:15 pm Bus departs Hotel 5:55 Bus arrives at Riverlands 6:00 Groups are joined by their group leaders for bike hike or group paddle. 7:15 Groups come back together for food, drinks, and fun. 8:30 Bus departs Riverlands for return to Hotel