Editor’s Note: Listings in Trail Mix are free. Email: outdoor@recorder.com. The deadline is Thursday by noon. Questions? Call 413-772-0261, ext. 276. Weather may cancel or force the rescheduling of some of these events.
Great Falls Discovery Center
Kidleidoscope Fridays: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Come each week to learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. Kidleidoscope is a free child-friendly, hands-on environmental experience for young children. Each topic includes a story, interactive activities and a craft to introduce you and your child to the natural world. For ages 3 to 6. For more information, call 413-863-3221.
Hitchcock Center for the Environment
“From Fear to Confidence: Preventing Tick-Borne Illnesses”: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Dr. Stephen Rich, chief medical zoologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Laboratory of Medical Zoology, will present his important findings over 12 years of tick testing. Ted Watt will open with a brief presentation of the natural history and life cycles of ticks. Register at bit.ly/2qqvYZK. Free, but donations are appreciated.
Second Saturday Family Science Series: 10 to 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. Upcoming topics include counting winter birds on Dec. 8. Ideal for ages 3 to 8. Registration appreciated at bit.ly/2zof6XW. Free.
Homeschool Discovery Days: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on one Tuesday each month. Explore science and nature topics with Katie Koerten and Jeff Mazur, meet science experts and sometimes go on field trips. Upcoming topics include birds of winter on Dec. 11. Designed as a drop-off program for children ages 6 to 12. Limited to 12 participants per program. Register at bit.ly/2zoG5mh. $45 to $55.
Christmas Bird Count for Families and Kids: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2 to 4 p.m. The Christmas Bird Count is a 118-year-old event in which bird lovers of all ages and skill levels count all the birds they see in a 24-hour period in December. Includes an indoor program about how to recognize common birds, followed by an outdoor bird count facilitated by educator Katie Koerten. Koerten will report the data at the official CBC compilation meeting. To be held in the event of rain, snow or sleet. Binoculars welcome but not required. Sign-up at bit.ly/2QeSNuO is helpful but not required. Free.
