Outdoors

First Posted: 2/26/2015

THIS WEEK: March 4 to 10, 2015

Birding Field Trip to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area to observe thousands of snow geese, tundra swans and other waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 5. $24. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

Full Moon Hike. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 6:30 p.m. March 6. 570-967-7275.

Birding Field Trip to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area to observe thousands of snow geese, tundra swans and other waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 a.m. March 7. $5. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Registration: 570-443-7791.

Sugar Shack Ramble, an orienteering expedition, using a map and compass, to the Two Saps Sugar Shack to enjoy cocoa and pancakes with fresh maple syrup. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 7. $10. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Maple Sugaring Day, a tour of the sugar bush including stops to learn about Native American and early pioneer methods of making syrup. Followed by pancakes and fresh maple syrup. Meesing Outdoor Site, Creek Road, Delaware State Forest, Marshalls Creek. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 7. $5, $3 children. 570-629-3061.

Who Goes There? A hike to look for animal tracks and learn about park mammals. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 p.m. March 7. 570-967-7275.

Spring Waterfalls, a tour of area waterfalls. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 7. $12. Call to reserve a seat in the van. 570-828-2319.

Fire Building, primitive fire-making skills including a flint-and-steel fire, a bow-drill fire and more. Age 10 and older. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon March 8. $5. 570-828-2319.

Promised Land State Park Hike, seven moderate miles. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Dupont. 10:45 a.m. March 8. Bring water and lunch. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-814-2803.

Sunday for Singles. Explore nature and meet new people while hiking on a park trail. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 8. $5. 570-828-2319.

Green Gardens and Clean Water, 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. March 10. Free. 570-752-2241.

FUTURE

Tree-Pruning Class. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 10 a.m. March 14. $10. 570-967-7275.

Camouflage and Mimicry: What You See Isn’t What You See! A talk by naturalist Rick Koval on the techniques and adaptations animals use to avoid detection. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 11 a.m. March 14. Free. 570-996-1500.

Ecozone Discovery Room! Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit in this indoor exhibit on natural history. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. March 14. 570-828-2319.

Woodcock Walk, an evening stroll to witness this mysterious bird’s spectacular springtime mating display. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 14. Free. 570-828-2319.

Tobyhanna State Park Hike, six moderate miles. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Dupont. 10:45 a.m. March 15. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. Bring water and lunch. 570-842-2230.

The Easy-Does-It Hike, a slow-paced interpretive walk through the woods at the Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 15. Free. 570-828-2319.

Mystery Birding Field Trip, a birding adventure with the desination revealed the day of the trip. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 20. $24. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

A Chickadee’s Life, all about the black-capped backyard favorite. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 to 11 a.m. March 21. $5. 570-629-3061.

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. March 22. Free. 570-542-5948.

Build Your Own Bird Box, using provided pre-cut materials. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 p.m. March 22. $10. Reservations: 570-967-7275.

Pruning Trees and Shrubs, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 24. Free. 570-752-2241.

Woodcock Sky Dance Walk, a twilight stroll to observe the twittering flight of the American woodcock. Bring a blanket. Followed by an illustrated talk on the bird. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 24. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Signs of Spring on the Farm, an exploration of early spring flowers, wildlife happenings and more on the trails of Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, 247 Quiet Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 2 to 4 p.m. March 28. $5. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Fly Fishing,an introductory program on equipment, casting, strategy, fly-tying and more. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9 a.m. to noon March 28. $8. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

Wild Edibles Walk. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon March 29. $5. 570-828-2319.

Bald Mountain Hike, six moderate miles. Meet at the Sears Auto Center parking lot, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. 11:45 a.m. March 22. Bring water and snacks. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-457-0527.

Mocanaqua Loop Hike, seven difficult miles. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. March 29. Bring water and snacks. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Tumbling Waters Hike, a three-mile interpretive trek on the Tumbling Waters Trail which offers a scenic overlook of the Delaware River Valley. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. March 29. Free. 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.

Scranton Half-Marathon, the second annual 13.1-mile race through the streets of Scranton and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.