Submitted photo
The sign at the entrance of Little Buffalo State Park in Newport.

NEWPORT — The leaves are mostly gone from the trees and many birds have migrated south for the winter. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t any nature activity at Little Buffalo State Park in Newport.

The park has announced a series of programs for January that would pique the interest of many nature enthusiasts, according to Mindy Wilt, environmental education specialist at Little Buffalo, located at 1579 State Park Road, Newport.

Weather permitting,Wilt will lead a Winter Tree ID Hike, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. today at the park. “The leaves are gone from the trees, so how do we figure out what tree is what?” Wilt said. “Fear not, for we have some tips to help you ID trees from any time of year.”

Meet at Pavilion 3 in the Shoaff’s Mill Day Use Area for a tree ID walk around the covered bridge trail. Wilt said this should not be a long hike. “We will go as far as the group wants to go,” she explained. “It is fairly accessible, but if you need accommodations, please reach out ahead of the program.”

Pets are welcome but must be leased, Wilt added.

Seven Metals That Forged Humanity: The discovery of metal brought people out of the Stone Age and into an entirely new realm of existence. “What metals were most important in this evolution of society, and where would we be today if we had not learned to work with metal?” Wilt said.

Cultural educator and historian Paul Fagley will join nature-goers for another fascinating 90-minute presentation at the park office classroom at 1 p.m. today. Admission is free.

Maple Sugaring: At 10 a.m. Jan. 28, learn the basics of harvesting maple syrup. “We will provide you with a crash course on how to identify maples, proper ways to tap the tree and how to set up an at-home evaporator,” Wilt said. “We may go out and walk, if the weather is nice.” This program will be partially outside, weather permitting, and partially inside the park office classroom. Find them on Facebook for updates and program changes due to weather.

The program will also be offered on Feb. 3, 11 and 18.

Providing for Bluebirds and Other Cavity Nesters: Stick around to learn how to set up and manage wildlife boxes, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the park office classroom. Anyone can put a box out, but it’s important to ensure it’s successful and attracts the birds or animals you want. “Come learn some tips and see some of our bluebird trail here at Little Buffalo,” Wilt said.

Learn how to become a monitor with the state parks and how the cavity nesting program helps science. The program will be mostly inside and includes a walk outside if weather permits.

Breeding Bird Atlas: 2024 is also a big year for the birding community as Little Buffalo is starting a five-year project called the “Breeding Bird Atlas.” Every 20 years, this project needs citizen birders to assist with collecting data on breeding bird behavior. If bird watching is of interest, come out on Feb. 18 to learn more about this project.

For more information, visit www.dcnr.pa.gov or find Little Buffalo State Park on Facebook.