The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and members of Mississippi River Wild are co-sponsoring their annual Waterfowl Observation Day on Nov. 14.

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brownsville overlook, according to Jim Nissen, La Crosse District manager of the refuge. The overlook is located about three miles south of Brownsville along Highway 26.

"We had about 300 people last year," said Nissen, adding that the event has been held at the Brownsville overlook the past two years.

The overlook was completed in 2007.

"It's a good opportunity for people to see birds," Nissen said. "We see lots of folks, from families to individuals. Some folks stick around quite awhile. Others stay 10 or 15 minutes and then move on."

The event is open to the public. A special overlook dedication ceremony is scheduled at 11 a.m.

The overlook is one of the best places along the river to view hundreds of tundra swans, diving and puddle ducks, bald eagles and other migrating birds that have stopped to rest and feed on their journey to wintering grounds, according to Nissen.

Binoculars, scopes, and bird identification books will be available. Refuge staff, Mississippi River Wild members and volunteers will help with bird identification, and discuss the island restoration project under construction or to answer questions.

Refreshments and food will also be sold at the event. All proceeds benefit Mississippi River Wild.

Additional refuge information, including the results of the weekly aerial waterfowl surveys, is available at www.fws.gov/ midwest/UpperMississippiRiver/ or on Mississippi River Wild's Web site at www.mississippiriver wild.com/.

Nissen said the event is scheduled rain or shine adding that weather conditions were not ideal the last two years, although many people still showed up.

For more information, call (608) 783-8405.