Outdoors Listings: March 21 to 27, 2014

First Posted:

THIS WEEK: March 21 to 27, 2014

Feeder Fidelity. Join Darryl Speicher as he bands birds at Kettle Creek’s bird feeders and explains which species of birds are recorded. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. Saturday. $5. 570-629-3061.

Live Owls of Pennsylvania with environmental education specialist Rebecca Lesko. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. 1 p.m. Saturday. Free. 570-675-9900.

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

Sugar Notch Mountain Hike, six moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. Sunday. Bring snacks and water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-735-4359.

EcoZone Discovery Room. Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit along with other hands-on exhibits on natural history, sustainability and the local environment. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. $2. 570-828-2319.

Polar Bear Plunge, organized by students from Lake-Lehman Junior/Senior High School. Pole 150, Harveys Lake. 2 p.m. Sunday. 570-477-1537.

Woodcock Watch, an indoor and outdoor program on the life history and amazing courtship displays of the American woodcock or Timberdoodle. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. $5. 570-629-3061.

Broad Mountain Hike,

Don’t Tell Me to Slow Down, the inaugural 5K Run and Walk in support of the National Stuttering Association. Anderson Outdoor Athletic Complex, Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas. March 30 with registration 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and event at 10 a.m. $20, $15 students until March 18; $25 thereafter. 570-674-6724.

Women’s Weekend, a relaxing getaway with nature hikes, canoeing, yoga, campfires, astronomy and more. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. April 4 to 6. $195 includes six meals, yurt accommodations and all activities. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Tumblin’ Timberdoodles, an introduction to the American woodcock followed by an outdoor session to witness its “sky dance.” Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. Meet at the Visitor Center 7:30 a.m. April 5. Free. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Susquehanna Warrior Trail 5K Run and Fun Walk, the 7th annual event along the west bank of the Susquehanna River in Shickshinny and Hunlock Creek. April 5 with registration 9 to 10 a.m. at the playground pavilion, Oak and North Canal streets, Shickshinny. Applications available at susquehannawarriortrail.org or 570-542-7946.

Volunteer Trail Day, trail blazing and maintenance on the new 211-acre property. Refreshments and lunch provided. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 9 a.m. to noon April 5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Small Wonders of Nature, indoor and outdoor sessions on on the tiniest living organisms in nature. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10:30 a.m. to noon April 5. $5. 570-629-3061.

Spring Waterfalls, a tour of Pocono waterfalls broadened by the spring rains and melting snow. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 5. $12. Van reservations: 570-828-2319.

Pocono Environmental Education Center Hike,

Sunday for Singles. Explore nature while meeting new friends. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 6 $5. Van reservations: 570-828-2319.

EcoZone Discovery Room. Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit along with other hands-on exhibits on natural history, sustainability and the local environment. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. April 6. $2. 570-828-2319.

Camouflage and Mimicry, survival techniques of local animals presented by naturalist Rick Koval. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 8. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Safe Boating Classes, a certification course for ages 12 and older, presented by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla. American Legion, 4907 Memorial Highway, Harveys Lake. Select from one eight-hour session 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 12; or four-hour sessions 6 to 10 p.m. May 13-14 and June 17-18. $25. Reservations: 570-815-0471.

Salamanders, Frogs and More! Explore nearby breeding pools for salamanders, frog and egg masses to collect for up-close study. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 12. Wear boots and clothes that can get wet. $5. 570-828-2319.

Birding Tune-Up. Join the Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society for a beginner birding program. Geared to all ages. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 2 to 3:30 p.m. April 12. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Wildlife on the 19th-Century Farm, area wildlife that farmers found locally in the 1800s and how they adapted their farms to the animal environment. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 7 p.m. April 12. $5. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Spring Peeper Search, a nighttime hike to catch, study and release these tiny tree frogs. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 8 to 9 p.m. April 12. $5. Bring a flashlight. 570-828-2319.

River of Rocks Hike, seven moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 9:45 a.m. April 13. Bring lunch and water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Earth Day Festival, with hands-on learning stations, interpretive hikes, conservation exhibits, animals, crafts, food and music. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 13. $5 per car. 570-828-2319.

Full Moon Walk at the Tannersville Bog. Bring a flashlight and meet in the Bog parking lot, 166 Cherry Lane Road, Tannersville. 6:30 p.m. April 15. $6. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Bog Mammals, exploring the habitats of bobcats, otters, bears and snowshoe hares at the Tannersville Cranberry Bog, 166 Cherry Lane Road. 10 a.m. April 17. $6. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Spring Waterfalls, a tour of Pocono waterfalls broadened by the spring rains and melting snow. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 19. $12. Van reservations: 570-828-2319.

The Northern Saw-Whet Owl, a talk by Jim and Annette Logan, volunteers in the Saw-Whet Research Program. Trinity Presbyterian Church, 105 Irem Road, Dallas. 7 p.m. April 21. Free. 570-479-0400.

Reptile and Amphibian Survey Program, an introduction to the state-sponsored program that hopes to conserve reptiles and amphibians through citizen science. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 23. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Iroquois Trail Birding, a leisurely, two-mile rail-trail walk overlooking Tunkhannock Creek to seek out migrating warblers. Meet at the Weis Market parking lot, 600 Hunter Highway, Tunkhannock. 7:30 a.m. April 26. Free. Registration: 570-856-3207.

Birding at Frances Slocum State Park, with Bruce Troy of Wild Birds Unlimited. Meet in the parking lot at the Environmental Education Center and Boat Rental, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 8:30 a.m. April 26. Free. 570-675-9900.

Earth Day 5K Fun Walk and Run, held to promote environmental awareness. Begins at the Olive Street entrance to the Lackawanna River Heritage TrailApril 26 with registration at 10 a.m. and event at 11 a.m. Registration: 570-941-7520.

Salamander Search, a family-oriented program to seek out salamanders at the Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. April 26. $5. 570-629-3061.

Ironmaster’s Challenge, with 50K, 25K and 15K races along woodland trails. Furnace Stack Pavilion, Pine Grove Furnace State Park, 1220 Pine Grove Road, Gardners. April 27 with 50K race at 7:30 a.m., 25K at 8:30 a.m. and 15K at 9:30 a.m. Followed by a finish-line picnic 11:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and awards ceremonies at 12:30 and 2 p.m. $70, $55, $50. 717-241-4360 or ironmasterschallenge.com.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot near the Nesbitt Park boat launch in Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. April 27. Free. 570-542-5948.

Introduction to Fly Fishing, with lessons in knot tying and casting. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 a.m. to noon April 27. $15. 570-828-2319.

Bruce Lake Natural Area Hike, eight moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315, Dupont. 10:45 a.m. April 27. Bring lunch and water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-814-2803.

Salamanders, Frogs and More! Explore nearby breeding pools for salamanders, frog and egg masses to collect for up-close study. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 27. Wear boots and clothes that can get wet. $5. 570-828-2319.

Signs of Spring Walk along the trails of the Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary with environmental educator Karen Boyle. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. May 3. $5. 570-629-3061.

Birding at the Bog, an early-morning trek to seek out migrating birds. Tannersville Cranberry Bog, 166 Cherry Lane Road, Stroudsburg. 7 a.m. May 6. $6. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Milkweed, Monarchs and More, a program about the Monarch butterfly’s journey to its Mexico destination and how milkweed patches aid them along the way. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. 6 to 7 p.m. May 8. Free. 570-675-9900.

Birding at Frances Slocum State Park, with Bruce Troy of Wild Birds Unlimited. Meet in the parking lot at the Environmental Education Center and Boat Rental, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 8:30 a.m. May 10. Free. 570-675-9900.

Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society Annual Banquet, with a presentation on Pennsylvania’s indigenous birds of prey including live raptors. Appletree Terrace, Newberry Estate, off Pioneer Avenue, Dallas. 6 p.m. May 14. $35. Reservations: 570-479-0400.

Bluebird Walk, a hike along the Bluebird Trails to check the boxes for baby birds. Meet in the parking lot next to the pool area. Frances Slocum State Park, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 9 a.m. May 17. Free. 570-675-9900.

Northeast MS Walk,

Celebration of Life Walk, the annual event sponsored by the Hazleton Chapter of the American Red Cross. Choose from a one-mile or five-mile route. Whispering Willows Park, Conyngham. May 17 beginning at 10:45 a.m. with a tribute to the Armed Forces followed by the walk and ending with a tribute to blood donors at 12:30 p.m. along with a picnic, music and prizes. $5. Registration: 570-455-9517.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot near the Nesbitt Park boat launch, Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. May 25. Free. 570-542-5948.

Reptiles and Snakes, close-up looks at the black rat, eastern ribbon and corn snakes. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. 1 p.m. June 7. Free. 570-675-9900.

Birding at Frances Slocum State Park, with Bruce Troy of Wild Birds Unlimited. Meet in the parking lot at the Environmental Education Center and Boat Rental, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 8:30 a.m. June 14. Free. 570-675-9900.

Snowshoe Loaner Program. Free snowshoes are available for use in the park when there is at least six inches of snow cover. Drivers license required. Promised Land State Park, 100 Lower Lake Road, Greentown. Through March 28. 570-676-3428.