Tucson Outdoor Hikes/walks, birding and more April 27-May 5

All events are free or included in admission or vehicle entrance fee unless otherwise noted. Parking may be additional. Bad weather may change or cancel activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No pets unless otherwise specified.

Take a hike/walk day or night

Hidden Wildlife — Saguaro National Park East. Learn to look for the signs that animals leave behind. 2-2:30 p.m. April 27. 733-5153.

Kangaroo Rat: Super Survivor — Saguaro National Park West, 2700 N. Kinney Road. A hike to learn about the behavioral and physical adaptations that allow the rodents to survive harsh desert environments. Suitable footwear. 3:15-4 p.m. April 27. 733-5158.

Life on the Edge — Saguaro National Park West. A walk to learn how plants and animals weather the climate change. 10:15-11 a.m. April 28. 733-5158.

Night Walk — Saguaro National Park East. Join a park naturalist to experience the desert at night. Reservations required. 7-9 p.m. April 28. 733-5153.

Parents and Tots Walk — Saguaro National Park East. Toddler backpacks available for loan. Call for reservations 733-5153. 9-11 a.m. April 28.

Spiny, Shady, and Cool — Saguaro National Park West. A short walk to discover the variety of cacti. 11:15-11:45 a.m. April 28 and 29. 733-5158.

Cactus Caravan — Saguaro National Park East. Introduction to common cacti. 2-3:30 p.m. April 29. 733-5153.

History Walk: Fairbank Historic Townsite — Fairbank, Highway 82, Sierra Vista. A one mile, 1.5 hour walk led by The Friends of the San Pedro River. Suitable footwear. 9-11 a.m. April 29. 459-2555.

Ranger's Choice / Visitor's Choice — Saguaro National Park East. A walk with a park guide who will tell stories and answer questions. 10-11:30 a.m. April 29. 733-5153.

River Walk — San Pedro House, 9800 E. Highway 90, Sierra Vista. Join the Friends of the San Pedro River to find mammals, reptiles, amphibians and nearly 350 species of birds. Suitable footwear. 8-10 a.m. April 29. Donations accepted. 459-2555.

Silhouettes at Sundown — Saguaro National Park West, 2700 N. Kinney Road. A three hour, 2.5 mile walk along an arroyo as the setting sun silhouettes the the giant saguaro. Reservations required at 733-5158. 4:15-7:15 p.m. April 14, 22 and 29. Free. 733-5158.

The Plants Tell All — Saguaro National Park West. Join a park naturalist on a walk to learn the secrets of what ties the plants and animals together. Suitable footwear. 9:45-11:15 a.m. April 29. 733-5158.

Tour of Historic Canoa Ranch — Historic Hacienda de la Canoa, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley. A walking tour of the historic buildings and corrals. Online registration required. 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 29. 724-5220.

Turquoise Trail Guided Walking Tour — Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum, 196 N. Court Ave. A guided 2.5 mile walk of downtown. Pre-registration required. Not recommended for young children. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 30. $12. 837-8119.

For the birds

Birding Agua Caliente Park — Roy P. Drachman-Agua Caliente Regional Park, 12325 E. Roger Road. A guided walk to look for spring migrants, tanagers, warblers, flycatchers, hummingbirds, orioles and vireos. 8-9:30 a.m. April 27. 615-7855.

Hummingbird Banding — San Pedro House, 9800 E. Highway 90, Sierra Vista. Close-up look as staff capture, band, weigh, measure, and release the birds. 4-6 p.m. April 29. Donations accepted. 459-2555.

Bird Walk — Environmental Operations Park, Hwy. 90 east of Sierra Vista. A two hour walk led by docents from Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory and the Friends of the San Pedro River. Suitable footwear. 7-9 a.m. April 30. Donations accepted. 459-2555.

Bird Walk — San Pedro House, 9800 E. Highway 90, Sierra Vista. The San Pedro River is considered one of the largest and most critical avian migratory corridors remaining in the western United States. 7-9 a.m. May 3. Donations accepted. 459-2555.

Morning Bird Walks  — Sweetwater Wetlands, 2511 W. Sweetwater Drive. Join Audubon Society staff member on a two hour, 1 mile easy hike to see waterfowl, warblers, and other species hiding in the reeds. 6-8 a.m. Wednesdays. May 3. 209-1811.

Birding  — Roy P. Drachman-Agua Caliente Regional Park. A guided walk to look for warblers, flycatchers, hummingbirds, orioles and vireos. Binoculars available. Online registration required. 7:30-9 a.m. May 4. 615-7855.

Other ways to enjoy the outdoors

Drive-Thru Geology Tour — Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail. Observe the varied landforms of the desert. 10:30-noon. April 27. 733-5153.

Panning for Garnets — Sabino Canyon, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road. Instruction and equipment provided. Bring lunch. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. April 27. 749-8700.

Power from the Past Club — Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road. A non-profit organization that preserves and operates antique farm tractors and antique large and small engines that provided power for farms before widespread electricity was available. 1-8 p.m. April 27 and 28; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. April 29 and 30. $8. 444-0098.

Historic Craft Demonstrations — Tumacácori National Historical Park, 1891 E. Frontage Road. Artisans demonstrate traditional crafts. May include, paper flower making, pottery or O’odham basket weaving. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 28-30. 377-5060.

Racing the Sun — Musselman Honda Circuit, 11800 S. Harrison Road. Arizona high school teams race their solar-powered go-karts. Call for reservations. Food, drink and giveaways. Noon-2:30 p.m. April 29. 382-2453.

Petanque — Reid Park, 830 S. Country Club Road. Learn and play the French game. 2-4:30 p.m. Aril 30. 664-4133.