Side roads: Spring on the wing
By Colleen A. Coles, Star Tribune
February 8, 2008 at 3:50PM
Bird-watchers are invited to Red Wing on Saturday and next Sunday for Eagle Spot Weekend in Colvill Park. Now through mid-March is prime time to observe the birds as they return to their annual nesting sites near the Mississippi River. Local volunteers from the Environmental Learning Center will answer questions about the birds' habitat, behavior and recovery from 1 to 3 p.m. The gatherings continue Saturdays and Sundays through March 16. (1-800-498-3444; www.redwing.org).
Spirits rise on snowbanks St. Peter, Minn.
Winterfest, a citywide celebration, continues through next Sunday in St. Peter. Activities include a medallion hunt, parade, carnival, snow sculptures, fiddle contest, wine and beer tasting and a chili cookoff (1-507-934-3400; www.stpeter winterfest.org).
Birkebeiner skiers prepare Cable and Hayward, Wis.
Cross-country skiers of all ages will compete Feb. 21-23 in the American Birkebeiner in northern Wisconsin. This year's race is expected to draw more than 9,000 skiers and 15,000 spectators to the 51-kilometer Birkebeiner, the 23K Kortelopet, the 12K Prince Haakon race, the Elite Sprints, the Barnebirkie and the Junior Birkie. Other activities include 5K and 10K family races and a winter sports expo (1-800-872-2753; www.birkie.com).
