Walk of the timberdoodle
Afton State Park
8-9 p.m. Friday
"Timberdoodle" is the nickname given to the American woodcock, a ground-nesting, long-beaked, stocky bird. The spring mating dance and flight are unique and amazing. (651-231-6968; mndnr.gov/afton)
Bird-watching walk
Brown's Creek State Trail
8-9:30 a.m. Saturday
The 5.9-mile former rail trail connects the Gateway State Trail in Grant to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Join a naturalist at the Neal Avenue trailhead for a 2-mile hike through the prairie and forest. Binoculars and field guides are available but limited in number. (651-231-6968; mndnr.gov/gateway)
Signs of spring
Blue Mounds State Park
1-2 p.m. Saturday
Join a naturalist for a mile hike in search of spring. The trail is hilly and may be slippery. (1-507-283-6050; mndnr.gov/bluemounds)
Snake, rattle and roll
Lake Maria State Park
1-2 p.m. Saturday
Emily Roberts from Snake Discovery, an educational program, returns with a large number of reptiles that includes snakes and lizards. Touch and hold 13 live animals. (763-878-2325; mndnr.gov/lakemaria)
Ghost town cemetery
field trip
Whitewater State Park
1-3 p.m. Saturday
Naturalist-led vehicle tour of the Whitewater Valley. See a pioneer cemetery. Participants will use their vehicles. Meet at the visitor center. (1-507-312-2300; mndnr.gov/whitewater)
Bird banding
9 a.m.-noon Saturday
Eastman Nature Center
Wild songbirds will be carefully trapped, studied, banded and released. This program is free and open to all ages. (763-694-7700, threeriversparks.org)
Landscape photography
9:30-noon Saturday
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Learn techniques and tips from photographer Don Tredinnick, and then head out to use the new knowledge. Meet at the auditorium at the visitor center in Bloomington. (952-854-5900, bit.ly/ mnfwsOW)
Search for spring
Eastman Nature Center
1-2:30 p.m. Sunday
Walk through the woods looking for wildflowers, migrating birds and other spring signs. (763-694-7700, bit.ly/walkOW)
Learn to use iNaturalist
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
10 a.m. Saturday
Staff biologist Nicole Menard will teach how to use the iNaturalist app to record observations outdoors. Then, get ready to use iNaturalist to collect plant and animal observations on the refuge and throughout the metro April 26-29 during the international City Nature Challenge. Questions? Contact Menard at Nicole_Menard@fws.gov or 952-858-0716. (bit.ly/mnfwsOW)
