Weekend activities from birding to mushroom hunting to paddleboarding

Whitewater State Park

6-7 p.m. Friday

After nearly a half-century absence, peregrine falcons have returned to nest on the cliffs of the park. Meet at the nature store parking lot for a short walk to observe the nest site. (507-932-3007, mndnr.gov)

Minneopa State Park

1-2 p.m. Saturday

Join local mushroom hunter Ben Prehn and learn some of the places to find mushrooms at the park. We will talk about some of the more popular edible mushrooms, including morels, chicken of the woods and gold chanterelle. (507-384-8890, mndnr.gov)

BioBlitz

Noon Friday-noon Saturday

Through citizen-science walks, join naturalists, researchers, biologists and the public in an effort to identify as many plant and animal species as possible within 24 hours at the park. Come for some or all of the events. See the schedule at bit.ly/mnbioblitz. (651-465-5711, mndnr.gov)

Lowry Nature Center

9 a.m.-noon Saturday

See wild songbirds safely trapped, studied and tagged with numbered rings. This program is free and open to all ages. (763-694-7650, threeriversparks.org)

7-8 a.m. Saturday

The Lansing Avenue Crossing rest stop is one of the best places to view migrant and resident birds along the trail. Participants will identify as many species as possible by sight and sound during the hour. Bring binoculars and a chair if you have them. Watchers with limited mobility are welcome. This Little Sit is an abbreviated version of the 24-hour Big Sit bird-watching events common around the country. Meet at the Lansing Avenue Crossing rest stop. No registration needed, but e-mail robertbystrom1@gmail.com if you want to be notified if canceled. (mndnr.gov)

Cleary Lake Regional Park

8-9:30 p.m. Saturday

Previous stand-up paddleboard experience recommended. Equipment provided. Cost is $20, and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 and reference activity 244556-00. This program is for ages 14 and older. (763-694-7777, threeriversparks.org)

1-4 p.m. Sunday