Eagle count, turtle talk, Tree ID hike, and more programs at NC State Parks

Big Canoe Forces and Motion
Wednesday, April 6th, 2022
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Falls Lake
Beaverdam Recreation Area

Celebrate the NC Science Festival. Bring your arm energy out to Falls Lake to test your paddling power in our 14-passenger Big Canoes. Using games like races and tug-o-war, we will learn all about the physics of canoes!

Life jackets provided. Best for ages 6 & up. Younger paddlers who are comfortable sitting still in a boat may be accommodated, but please contact the organizers to discuss.

Goods From the Woods & Tree ID
Saturday, April 9th, 2022
1 to 2 p.m.
Eno River State Park
Fews Ford Picnic Shelter

Join our Naturalist to learn about all the ways trees are involved in your daily life. This program is great for all ages, and will include a short matching activity. After the activity and discussion, you’ll be invited to go on a short, half-mile hike to identify some trees and learn a few ways to tell them apart. The hike will take place on the Eno Trace trail, be prepared for a short rocky section and a short incline.

Birding Bingo
Sunday, April 10th, 2022
8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Eno River State Park
Cole Mill Access

Join our Naturalist for a roving game of Birding Bingo! All ages and experience levels are welcome. The game will take place over a 2 mile hike through the woods and along the river on Cole Mill Trail. We will mark birds off of our bingo cards as we see and/or hear them. The terrain is fairly even and mild, with only a few short sections on inclines. Though they are curious, the birds may not always cooperate – bring binoculars for a better chance to see the ones that keep their distance!

Quarterly Bald Eagle Count
Sunday, April 10th, 2022
7 a.m.
Jordan Lake
Poplar Point Campground Beach

Come be a part of our quarterly Eagle Count with New Hope Audubon Society (www.newhopeaudubon.org). Every second Sunday of every quarter (January, April, July & October) we gather around the lake to count eagles. This is a great opportunity to enjoy Jordan Lake before the crowds and hopefully see eagles too!! All skill levels welcome. This is a perfect time to learn or refresh identification skills! Location will be at Poplar Point Campground (558 Beaver Creek Road, Apex NC 27502) at the beach.

Blind as a Bat
Monday, April 11th, 2022
5 to 6:30 p.m.
Occoneechee

Have you ever wondered how bats can fly and hunt at night? Join a ranger for a short hike around the Occoneechee area as we talk about how they can maneuver around at night and see when we can’t!

Eno’s Owls
Saturday, April 16th, 2022
3 to 4 p.m.
Eno River State Park
Fews Ford Picnic Shelter

Join our Naturalist in exploring the weird ways of owls by dissecting a pellet. Learn about the owls of the park, what they eat, where they sleep, and more! After taking apart a pellet, you’ll be invited to go on a short, half-mile hike to look and listen for owls or signs of their presence. The hike will take place on the Eno Trace trail, be prepared for a short rocky section and a short incline.

Tree ID Hike
Thursday, April 21st, 2022
6 to 7 p.m.
Occoneechee

Hike about a mile around Occoneechee Mountain with a ranger for a game of tree identification. We will end at the overlook in time to catch the sunset.

Occoneechee Mountain Geology and History Hike
Saturday, April 23rd, 2022
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Occoneechee

Learn about Occoneechee Mountains Geologic wonders including Quartz and Pyrophyllite. Explore the History of the mountain and learn how the mountain was formed, Discover the 4 summits, and see the habitat for one of the mountains elusive butterflies along this hike! Join Mr. Faw to learn about all of this and more.

Goods from the Woods & Tree ID
Sunday, April 24th, 2022
2 to 3 p.m.
Eno River State Park
Fews Ford Picnic Shelter

Join our Naturalist to learn about all the ways trees are involved in your daily life. This program is great for all ages, and will include a short matching activity. After the activity and discussion, you’ll be invited to go on a short, half-mile hike to identify some trees and learn a few ways to tell them apart. The hike will take place on the Eno Trace trail, be prepared for a short rocky section and a short incline.

A River Runs Through Here
Wednesday, April 27th, 2022
2 to 3 p.m.
Eno River State Park
Pump Station Access — Lower Lot

Join a Park Ranger to learn about the history of water usage in Durham and explore the ruins of the Durham pumping station.