Outdoors

First Posted: 3/25/2015

THIS WEEK: April 1 to 7, 2015

The following outdoors listings are all real and taking place.

Woodcock Watch, learning about the life history and amazing courtship rituals of the entertaining American woodcock along with a walk to observe the bird in action. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 6:30 p.m. April 1. $5, $3 children. 570-629-3061.

Susquehanna Warrior Trail Race, the eighth annual 5K race and fun walk. Playground Pavilion, Oak and North Canal streets, Shickshinny. April 4 with registration 9 to 10 a.m. and event at 10:15 a.m. 570-542-7946.

Ecozone Discovery Room. Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit in this indoor discovery room of hands-on exhibits. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. April 4. Free. 570-828-2319.

FUTURE

Safe Boating Classes, a qualification course to earn a Pennsylvania Boaters Education Certificate. American Legion, 4907 Memorial Highway (Route 415), Harveys Lake. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 11. Age 12 and older. $25. Reservations: 570-815-0471.

Step into Spring with the Master Gardeners, a morning of workshops including “Gardening Smarter Not Harder,” “Tree Pruning Essentials,” “Square Foot Gardening” and “The Pollinator Friendly Garden.” Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 11. $20. Registration: 570-421-6430.

Salamanders, Frogs and More, exploring nearby breeding pools for critters and egg masses, then gather them into collection jars for gentle up-close study. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 11. $5. 570-828-2319.

Tumblin’ Timberdoodles, an evening birding trip to observe the American woodcock performing its courtship “sky dance” at a site in Sweet Valley. Meet at the Country Club Shopping Center in Dallas. 7:10 p.m. April 11. Free. Registration: 570-362-8727.

Spring Peeper Search, catch, study and release these tiny tree frogs. Bring a flashlight for better searching. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 8 to 9 p.m. April 11. Free. 570-828-2319.

Scranton Half-Marathon, the second annual 13.1-mile race through the streets of Scranton and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, beginning and ending at Valor Credit Union Field Memorial Stadium. Also: a quarter-mile Kids Fun Run for ages 5 to 10. April 12 with half-marathon at 9 a.m. and Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. $80. Register at scrantonhalf.com.

Pocono Environmental Education Center Hike, 8.5 moderate miles. Meet at the Sears Auto Center parking lot, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. 10:45 a.m. April 12. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-457-0527.

Take a Break Hike. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 p.m. April 12. Bring a donation for the local food bank. 570-967-7275.

Wilderness Skills. Learn a variety of outdoor survival skills ranging from fire building and camping preparedness to tracking and stalking anmals. Age 10 and older. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 12. $5. 570-828-2319.

Well Water Basics for Homeowners, common problems, water quality, screening tests and treatment solutions. Bring a sample of your well water for testing. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 14. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Early Spring Bird Walk, a leisurely stroll to seek out spring arrivals including phoebes, gnatcatchers, warblers, hawks and more. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 18. $5, $3 children. 570-629-3061.

Guided Bird Walk, a morning stroll with conservation volunteer Dave Kruel. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 8 a.m. April 19. Free. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Don’t Tell Me to Slow Down, a 5K run and walk in support of the National Stuttering Association. Anderson Outdoor Athletic Complex, North Gate of Misericordia University’s campus, 301 Lake St., Dallas. April 19 with registration 8:30 to 10 a.m. and event at 10:30 a.m. $22 advance; $27 day of event. 570-674-6724.

Hawk Mountain Hike, seven difficult miles with rock scrambles. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 9:45 a.m. April 19. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Scavenger Hunt and Tree ID Walk, a celebration of Earth and Arbor Days with a 1.5-mile walk. Prizes for the kids. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 p.m. April 19. $10. 570-967-7275.

Ecozone Discovery Room. Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit in this indoor discovery room of hands-on exhibits. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. April 19. $2. 570-828-2319.

Eagle Day, with live raptors including a golden eagle and bald eagle. Also: explorations of birds and their nests and (for the kids) searching for replica wild bird eggs with separate areas for different ages. Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, Tunkhannock. 1 p.m. April 19. 570-836-3835.

Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels, a Master Gardeners program with members of the Briar Creek Association for Watershed Solutions. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 21. Free. 570-752-2241.

The History of Fly Fishing in Pennsylvania, with expert fly fisherman, author and artist Don Baylor. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 7 p.m. April 21. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Spring into Action Park Cleanup, the annual event with a variety of projects for volunteers. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 9 a.m. to noon April 25. 570-403-2006.

Earth Day Festival, with hands-on learning stations, interpretive hikes, conservation exhibits, animals, crafts, food, music and more. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 to 4 p.m. April 25. $5 per car. 570-828-2319.

Trail Day, a volunteer clean up at the park with free food and t-shirts for all. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 11 a.m. April 25. 570-967-7275.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch, Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. April 26. Free. 570-542-5948.

Introduction to Fly Fishing, with knot tying and casting practice. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 a.m. to noon April 26. $15. 570-828-2319.

Penobscot Mountain Hike, seven difficult miles with sustained uphill climbing and three excellent views. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. April 26. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-855-9896.

Tree Planting and Landscape Design, with free strawberry starter plants for all. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 12:30 p.m. April 26. $10. 570-967-7275.

Wildflower Walk along the Susquehanna River and forest habitats. Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, Tunkhannock. 2 p.m. April 26. Free. 570-836-3835.

Salamanders, Frogs and More. Explore nearby breeding pools for critters and egg masses, then gather them into collection jars for gentle up-close study. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 26. $5. 570-828-2319.

Egg Hunt, a hike to collect amphibian eggs and set up a system for hatching. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 p.m. April 26. Free. 570-967-7275.

Spring Nature Hike, an interpretive walk in search of wildflowers, ferns, budding trees and tadpoles. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 28. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Can’t Stop the Water, a film about Isle de Jean Charles in the bayous of south Louisiana where Native Americans have lived off the land for 170 years and which is now being subjected to a series of environmental problems including coastal erosion and sea-level rise. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 7 p.m. April 29. Free. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Full Moon Hike. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 8 p.m. May 2. Bring a donation for the local food bank. 570-967-7275.

Spencer Martin Memorial Bike Ride, a 33-mile ride through the scenic Back Mountain beginning at the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Campus, 1269 Old Route 115, Lehman Township. May 3 with registration at 8 a.m. and ride at 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. Registration: 570-820-8002 or bikereg.com.

Habitat for Humanity 5K Walk and Run, and one-mile Fun Run. Begins at the Olive Street Trailhead of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in Scranton. May 3 with 5K at 9 a.m. and Fun Run at 10:15 a.m. Info at habitatlackawanna.org/5K.

Awareness Walk for Cooley’s Anemia, with food and a basket raffle followed by face painting and entertainment after the walk. Hughestown Hose Company, 42 Center St. May 3 with registration at 10 a.m. and walk at 11 a.m. $15 advance; $20 day of event. 570-817-2311.

Birding Field Trip to the Bear Creek Camp to observe the spring bird migration. May 7. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Call 570-586-3702 for time and meeting place.

Spring Migration Count. Volunteer to count birds for this important national census on May 9. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Call 570-362-8727 for details.

North American Migration Count, the annual walk through the woods to identify and count birds. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 7 a.m. May 9. 570-967-7275.

Restore Habitat, Restore Birds, a bird walk along the Susquehanna River habitats. Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, Tunkhannock. 8:30 a.m. May 9. Free. 570-836-3835.

Find Some Flowers for Mom, a 1.5-mile Mother’s Day Hike to seek out spring blooms. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 2 p.m. May 10. $5. 570-967-7275.

Safe Boating Classes, a qualification course to earn a Pennsylvania Boaters Education Certificate. American Legion, 4907 Memorial Highway (Route 415), Harveys Lake. 6 to 10 p.m. May 12 and 13. Age 12 and older. $25. Reservations: 570-815-0471.

Intensive (Square Foot) Gardening, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 19. Free. 570-752-2241.

Star Party, a stargazing evening along with tips on using a telescope. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 8 p.m. May 23. $5. 570-967-7275.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch, Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. May 24. Free. 570-542-5948.

Ramble with a Naturalist, an easy-paced walk to look for animal signs and seasonal plants. Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, Tunkhannock. 1:30 p.m. May 24. Free. 570-836-3835.

Bike the Border, riding the roads in and near the park’s border. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1:30 p.m. May 25. Bring an item for the local food bank. 570-967-7275.

Bike Ride and Birding on the Black Diamond Trail from Mountain Top to Moosehead Lake — or beyond. Bring bike, binoculars, water and snacks for this two-to-three-hour trip. Meet at the Black Diamond Trailhead, Route 534, Mountain Top. 8 a.m. May 30. Free. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Registration: 570-443-7791.

Meditation Hike, a walk to lower stress and anxiety and achieve peace of mind. Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, Tunkhannock. 9 a.m. May 30. 570-836-3835.

Safe Boating Classes, a qualification course to earn a Pennsylvania Boaters Education Certificate. American Legion, 4907 Memorial Highway (Route 415), Harveys Lake. 6 to 10 p.m. June 16 and 17. Age 12 and older. $25. Reservations: 570-815-0471.

Gardening and Wildlife, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 23. Free. 570-752-2241.

Compost to Create Black Gold for Your Garden, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 21. Free. 570-752-2241.

Composting with Earthworms All Year Long, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18. Free. 570-752-2241.

D&H Half-Marathon and 5K, the eighth annual out-and-back event on the D&H Rail Trail from Forest City to Union Dale. Begins at the entrance to the Forest City Trailhead on Route 247. Sept. 13 with the half-marathon at 9 a.m. and the 5K at 9:10 a.m. $45; $55 after Aug. 21. Registration at dhdistancerun.com.

Putting the Garden to Bed, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22. Free. 570-752-2241.