February

Tuesdays & Wednesdays, February 1, 7–8, 14–15, 21–22, 28–29; Project FeederWatch
Nixon Park, 8:30am–4:30pm
Join Project FeederWatch volunteers as they learn to identify common winter birds and collect data to assist the Cornell Lab of Ornithology track bird populations around the nation. NF, NR.

Wednesdays, February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Small Wonders Series
Nixon Park, 1–2:30pm
Small Wonders Series is for young learners, age 3–4, to spend with an adult learning about nature. Children will role-play, imitate, imagine, question, and experiment with the help of an adult. This program will be held every Wednesday during the month of February and will be an indoor-outdoor class. A new topic will be featured each week. $35 for the entire series, register at 428-1961.  Download registration form

Saturday, February 4; Cabin Fever Hike I (Wildlife in Winter)
Rocky Ridge Park, Hidden Laurel Parking Area, Pheasant Pavilion, 9:30–11:30am
Got the winter doldrums? Park Naturalist Amber Carothers will guide you along the trail while investigating what animals are doing in the winter woods. After the hike, enjoy a fire and hot chocolate in an enclosed pavilion. NF, register at 428-1961.

Monday, February 6; Registration for Nature Discovery Programs Open
General public registration for our popular summer programs is now open. Classes are offered for a range of ages. Download 2012 dates and a description of programs.

Saturday, February 11; Cabin Fever Hike II (Winter Scavenger Hike)
Rocky Ridge Park, Hidden Laurel Parking Area, Pheasant Pavilion, 9:30–11:30am
Got the winter doldrums? Get out for a fun search through the winter woods. Park volunteer Jeff Miller will guide you to finding clues and tracks of what is happening in the winter woods. Prizes will be awarded while you enjoy a fire and hot chocolate in an enclosed pavilion. NF, register at 428-1961.

Saturday, February 11; Eastern Penn Mushroomers Club Meeting
Nixon Park, 10am–12noon
Interested in learning about wild mushrooms? Join the Eastern Penn Mushroomers for their monthly meeting. Each meeting consists of a presentation and concludes with a tasting of hors d’oeuvres cooked using wild mushrooms prepared by club members. For more information, visit www.epennmushroomers.org. NF, NR.

Saturday, February 11; Bee Keeping: Is It For You?
Nixon Park, 2–4pm
Join Bee Keeper Morrell Sipe for an introduction into the fascinating world of honeybees. Participants will learn about the intricacies of bee keeping and how to get started with a hive at home. NF, register at 428-1961.

Sunday, February 12; Susquehanna Waterfowl
Shank’s Mare Outfitters (near Long Level), 1–3pm
Join a naturalist for a look at migrating waterfowl that follow the Susquehanna River. We will be looking for large flocks of Tundra Swans and Snow Geese and, if lucky, a Bald Eagle. Program will include a riverside walk and information on the history of this stretch of the Susquehanna. Dress for the weather, and bring binoculars, spotting scope and field guides. NF, register at 428-1961.

Tuesday, February 14; Sweetheart Hike
Rocky Ridge Park, Oak Timbers Area, 7–9pm
Program Coordinator Jeri Jones will lead a 2-mile stroll on this special evening to observe creatures of the night. We will attempt to see deer, call in owls and do some fun nighttime activities. NF, register at 428-1961.

Friday–Sunday, February 17–19; Great Backyard Bird Count Weekend
Nixon Park, during regular hours
Staff and volunteers at the Nature Center will join people across the nation in this scientific bird tally. Events and displays are planned throughout the weekend for the novice to experienced birder, or a family looking for an educational mid-winter activity. NF, NR.

Friday, February 17; Owl Walk
Rail Trail Park, Hanover Junction Parking Area, 7:30–9:30pm
Go on a quiet hike while calling for screech owls. Dress for the weather; program is all outdoors. Hot chocolate and snacks will be provided. A parent must accompany all children under 16 years. Deep-red-tinted flashlights only. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. $2 per person, register at 428-1961.

Saturday, February 18; Birding with Bagels
Nixon Park, 8:30–10am
Enjoy a walk along the trails of Nixon Park to search for winter birds with Parks volunteers Robin Smith and Anne Muren. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars and field guides. Lending binoculars will be available. Participants may enjoy coffee and bagels at the Nature Center after the walk. Recommended for ages 12 and up. $2 per person, register at
428-1961.

Saturday, February 18; On the Wing
Nixon Park, 11am & 12:30pm
The Maryland Zoo presents an educational and interactive program about the Earth’s amazing bird diversity featuring live birds. This is a sit-down classroom style program. Best suited for ages 5 and up. $2 per person, register at 428-1961.

Saturday, February 18; Bluebird Box Workshop
Nixon Park, 2:30–4pm
Participants will be introduced to the interesting behavior of the Eastern Bluebird and will construct a bluebird nesting box to take home. Presenter will introduce cavity nesters and the importance of nesting cavities to your local habitat. This is a great activity for kids age 8 and up and parents to do together. $10 per box, limit 2 boxes per family, register at 428-1961.

Sunday, February 19; Bluebird Box Workshop
Nixon Park, 1–2:30pm
See February 18 for details
$10 per box, limit 2 boxes per family, register at 428-1961.

Sunday, February 19; Family Bird Walk
Nixon Park, 2:45–4pm
Have you ever watched a chickadee hanging upside down on a poison ivy vine. Join Park Naturalist Kelsey Frey on a slow hike through the winter woods in search of wild birds. We’ll be listening for the sounds of our winter birds, and practice using our binoculars to identify bird shapes, sizes, and field marks. Bring your own or borrow a pair of binoculars. This program is recommended for parents, grandparents, and children ages 8 and up. NF, register at 428-1961.

Monday, February 20; Presidents Day
Parks office and Nature Center closed.
Park grounds open.

Saturday, February 25; End of Small Game Season
Spring Valley Park
This marks the end of small game hunting for the season. Permit required. NF.

Saturday & Sunday, February 25 & 26; Maple Sugaring Weekend
Nixon Park, Saturday 9:30 am–4pm, Sunday 12noon–4pm
Enjoy various programs about maple sugaring, outside tours, and activities and crafts set up throughout the Nature Center. Maple products from Patterson Farms will be on sale during the weekend. $2 per person, age 5 and under free, NR.

Saturday, February 25; Public Star Watch
Rudy Park Observatory, 6:30–8:30pm
View the 1st quarter moon, planets, and stars through the York County Astronomical Society’s telescopes and binoculars. Refreshments provided. Event held if skies are partly cloudy to clear. Call YCAS at 578-9109 after 5pm for update. For more info and directions, visit www.ycas.org. Groups with ten or more should place a courtesy call to YCAS. NF, NR.

Saturday, February 25; Tours of the Sugar Bush
Nixon Park, 10am–3pm
Join Parks staff and volunteers for on-going tours through various stations. Learn the history and how-to of maple sugaring and the sugar bush, and enjoy sampling various maple syrups. Tours will include a talk by the Hammer Hollow Maplers from Juniata County and hands-on demonstrations. A trip to the Red Maple grove will occur every hour starting at 10am. NF, NR (groups of ten or more should register at 428-1961).

Saturday, February 25; Sugarbush Storytime
Nixon Park, 10:30am & 1:30pm
Children can join us to hear a story about maple sugaring. NF, NR.

Sunday, February 26; Tours of the Sugar Bush
Nixon Park, 12noon–3pm
See February 25 for details. NF, NR (groups of ten or more should register at 428-1961).