In the parks
Bald Eagle State Park, Howard
Office: 814-625-2775
May 13 — Bald Eagle Bird Day, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free; registration required and opens May 1. Learn about bird identification, bird watch by kayak, build a bluebird house to take home, experience live mammals and raptors, dissect owl pellets and take a woodcock walk.
May 27 — Mini-Paddle, 1 p.m.
May 28 — Kayak Eagle Watch, 9 a.m.
May 28 — Eagle Film and ELC opens, 1 p.m.
Cherry Springs State Park, Coudersport
Office: Call Lyman Run park at 814-435-5010, or 814-435-1037
Programs will be held at the Night Sky Viewing Area, opposite the gated Astronomy Field. If the sky is unfavorable for stargazing, an alternative program may be held. Programs will be cancelled in the event of rain.
May 26-28 — Night Sky Tour: A Lion, a Planet, a Bear, 9:30 p.m.
May 27 — Park Welcome and Walking Tour, 6:30 p.m.
May 27 — Nightscapes Photography Workshop, 8:30 p.m. Fee applies.
May 28 — Twin Sisters Trail Hike, 9 a.m.
Elk Country Visitor Center, Benezette
Office: 814-787-5167
May 7 — All About Elk, 2 p.m.
May 13 — Newborn Wildlife, 2 p.m.
May 14 — Go Fish, 2 p.m.
May 20 — Vernal Pools, 2 p.m.
May 21 — Geocaching 101, 2 p.m.
May 27 — Kids Corner, 2 p.m.
May 28 — Cute Calves, 2 p.m.
Hills Creek State Park, Wellsboro
Office: 570-724-4246
May 20 — Step Outdoors Springfest, 10 a.m.
Though May 27 — Saturday Morning Birding Series, 8 to 10 a.m. Attendees will meet at the park office, then drive to a nearby starting location in the park. Members of the Tiadaghton Audubon Society will lead these walks that will highlight the many varieties of water and woodland birds that live in or migrate through area parks. Bald eagles often are seen as well as ospreys that frequent Hills Creek Lake. Bring binoculars if you have them and wear subdued clothing and sturdy shoes. Walks usually last two hours and are at a slow pace and a limited distance. If the weather is inclement, the group may opt for a driving tour with several key stops nearby to keep optics, as well as participants, dry. See the club’s website for updates on what’s been seen lately and other helpful local birding information.
May 27 — PA Black Bears, 8:30 p.m.
May 28 — Family Fishing and Fillet, 5 p.m.
Kettle Creek State Park, Renovo
Office: 570-923-6004
May 12 — Cavity Nesters of Kettle Creek, 3:30 p.m.
May 12 — Pennsylvania’s Forgotten Giants, 8 p.m.
May 20 — Birding Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., day-use area. Shaver’s Creek will bring live raptors for programs from noon to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. Hourlong pontoon boat rides at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The boat will load at the dock by the boat launch. Space is limited and will be first come, first served. Other activities include making a bald eagle craft, building bird boxes and more. A bird walk will begin at 10 a.m. and will cover several habitat types in the season for migrating songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors, as well as year round resident species. Parking will be in the day-use parking lot at the boat launch and an information table will be set up near the launch. Bring binoculars, journals, field guides or birding-related material if you like. The festival will happen rain or shine but may be cancelled in the event of severe weather.
May 26 — PA Black Bears, 4 p.m.
May 28 — SMART Fishing Program, 3:30 p.m.
May 28 — Settlers of the Kettle Creek Valley, 8 p.m.
Little Pine State Park, Waterville
Office: 570-753-6005/6000
May 13 — Pa. Songbirds Curriculum Workshop, 8:30 a.m. Fee applies. Call to register.
Ole Bull State Park, Cross Fork
Office: 814-435-5000
May 13 — Cavity Nesters of Ole Bull, 3:30 p.m.
May 13 — Pennsylvania’s Forgotten Giants, 8 p.m.
May 26 — PA Black Bears, 8 p.m.
May 27 –Stream Creatures, 3:30 p.m.
May 27 — Lumbering Heritage of Potter County, 8 p.m.
Ricketts Glen State Park, Red Rock
Office: 570-477-7780
May 12 — Ricketts Ghost Town Walk, 1 p.m.
May 27-29 — Ricketts Ghost Town Walk, 10 a.m.
May 27-29 — Skull Stand, 1 p.m.
May 28 — Ganoga Falls Hike, 9 a.m.
Worlds End State Park, Forksville
Office: 570-924-1601
Through June 12 — Little Sprouts Gardening Series, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. In this Monday series, children ages 4 and 5 will be introduced to the joys of planting, tending, harvesting and eating their own produce as they cultivate a plot of bright flowers, fragrant herbs and tasty vegetables. Along the way, the “Sprouts” will learn about seed growth, pollinators, worms, soils, healthy eating and more.