Stargazing, ranch tour and leapin' lizards in Tucson

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.

Birding  — Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road. Take a guided walk to see birds such as warblers, flycatchers, hummingbirds, orioles, and vireos. Loaner binoculars available. Online registration required. 8-9:30 a.m. Oct. 11 and 18. 724-5375.

Mission Garden —  946 W. Mission Lane. Living agricultural museum of Sonoran Desert-adapted heritage fruit-trees, traditional heirloom crops, and edible native plants. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 11-13, 17-19. 955-5200.

Fall Hike — Mt. Lemmon, General Hitchcock, MP 12 Catalina Highway. A 4.5 mile hike to Bug Springs with a 600 feet elevation gain. Led by Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the McDonalds on Tanque Verde and Catalina Highway to carpool up the mountain. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 12. 429-4492.

Birding  — Historic Canoa Ranch, 5375 S. I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley. Join birding expert Brian Nicholas to see a wide variety of sparrows, raptors, and the possibility of waterfowl on the pond at the ranch. Online registration required. 7-9 a.m. Oct. 13. 724-5220.

Cienega Watershed Tour — Gabe Zimmerman Davidson Canyon Trailhead, Vail. Members Cienega Watershed Partnership board lead the tour beginning at the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead to see the perennial flows of Cienega Creek in the Pima County Preserve. Then carpool up toward Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, stopping to view the scenic Santa Ritas where the Rosemont Mine is proposed. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Oct. 13. 331-6730.

Guided Bird Walk — Tumacacori National Historical Park, 1891 E. Frontage Road. A guided walk up to 3 hours or as long as the birds are active. Suitable footwear and bring water. Binoculars available for loan. 8:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 13. 377-5060. 

Hike Rock Wren Trail — Tucson Mountain Park, Richard E. Genser Starr Pass Trailhead, S. Ave Del Correcaminos. View the scenic and rugged beauty of the Tucson Mountains on a moderate level, 2-3 mile interpretive hike. Ages 12 and up. 7:30-10:30 a.m. Oct. 13. 724-5375.

Historic Craft Demonstrations — Tumacácori National Historical Park. Traditional tortilla-making on the mission grounds. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 13 and 14. 377-5060.

History Walk: Murray Springs Clovis Site — Murray Springs National Historic Site, Moson Road, Sierra Vista. Led by The Friends of the San Pedro River. 9-11 a.m. Oct. 13. Donations accepted. 459-2555.

Leapin' Lizards — Sabino Canyon, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road. Guided lizard walk with volunteer naturalists. Binoculars and lizard ID cards provided. 8:30-10:30 a.m. Oct. 13. 749-8700.

Stargazing  — Pima County Agua Caliente Park. Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association volunteers provide an introduction to the night sky and set up telescopes for celestial viewing. Bring a chair. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 13. 724-5375.

Tour Ranch — Historic Canoa Ranch. Join a walking tour of the ranch headquarters to visit the historic buildings and corrals and enjoy the special exhibits of the people. Online registration required. 8:30-10 a.m. Oct. 13. 724-5220.

Bird Walk — Environmental Operations Park, Hwy. 90 east of Sierra Vista. Led by docents from Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory and the Friends of the San Pedro River. A 50-acre wetlands planted with aquatic plants, including cattails, and grasses that attract migrating and nesting birds. First come first served basis. Suitable footwear and water. 7-10 a.m. Oct. 14. Donations accepted. 459-2555.

Petanque in the Park — Reid Park, 830 S. Country Club Road. Learn and play the French game of petanque. 2-4 p.m. Oct. 14. 664-4133.

Sonoran Lifestyles — Saguaro National Park East, 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail. A two hour, one mile walk to discover how plants and animals adapt to life in the desert. 10 and up. 10 a.m.- noon. Oct. 15 and 17. $15. 733-5153.

Birding  — Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail, Vail. Expect to see southbound migrants, such as warblers, and resident birds like sparrows. Online registration required. 8-10 a.m. Oct. 16. 724-5375.

Nuts about Nature Preschool Hour — Brandi Fenton Memorial Park Visitor Center, 3482 E. River Road. Join us for child-friendly fun as we learn about nature through stories, crafts, and games. Children ages 3-5 with an adult companion. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Oct. 17. $5. 724-5375.

River Bird Walk — San Pedro House, 9800 E. Highway 90, Sierra Vista. Sponsored by the Friends of the San Pedro River. 8-10 a.m. Oct. 17. 459-2555.

Hike Yetman Trail — Tucson Mountain Park, Camino de Oeste Trailhead, 400 N. Camino de Oeste. A moderate level, 2-3 mile interpretive hike to the Bowen Stone House ruins area. Ages 12 and up. Online registration required. 7:30-10 a.m. Oct. 18. 724-5375.

Guided Fall Hike — Mt. Lemmon, MP 12 Catalina Highway. This is a moderately difficult 5.6 mile guided hike with an elevation gain of 1300 feet to Guthrie Peak from General Hitchcock trailhead. Led by Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the McDonalds at Tanque Verde and Catalina Highway to carpool up the mountain. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 19. 429-4492.