Welcome Spring at East Bay Parks with sheep shearing, bird watching and more
SAN FRANCISCO EAST BAY AREA, CA (Mar. 12, 2023) — Once a year, the sheep at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont are divested of their woolly overcoats.
This year, sheep-shearing day is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 18. Watch the experts shear the sheep, then try your hand at wool carding and see the transformation from fiber to yarn at the spinning wheel. You can also make your own woolly lamb to take home.
Fees for the event are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors 62 and older, $5 for children ages 4 through 17, and free for kids three and under. Parking is free.
Ardenwood is located at 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard just north of Highway 84. For information, call 510-544-2797.
Talk to the animals
Like humans, animals use a variety of languages to communicate with each other. Hear some of nature’s beautiful sounds and learn what is making them during “Sonidos En La Naturaleza –Sounds in Nature,” a program from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 18 at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont.
This is one of a continuing series of bilingual programs, in English and Spanish, led by naturalist Martha Cerda.
And from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the same day, naturalist Erin Blackwood will preside at “Bird Beak Buffet.” The program explores how wetland birds adapted to eat different kinds of food living in the water and mud. The group will use familiar objects to model various bird beaks.
Meet at the park visitor center for either program. Both are free of charge and registration is not necessary. All ages are welcome; parent participation is required.
Coyote Hills is at 8000 Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway. There’s a parking fee of $5 per vehicle. For information, call 510-544-3220.
Spring awakening
“Spring Has Sprung” is the theme of Family Nature Fun Hour from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 at Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove in Alameda. It’s a stroll led by an interpretive student aide to see what’s new in the park, including a craft-making activity.
The program repeats at the same time on Sunday, March 19. It’s free, and registration is not required. Crab Cove is at 1252 McKay Ave. off Alameda’s Central Avenue. For information, call 510-544-3187.
Exploring nature
Viewing denizens of the streams and ponds at Tilden Nature Area near Berkeley is the goal of an exploration from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, led by naturalist Trent Pearce.
This is a drop-in program; no registration is required. Wear shoes that can get wet and muddy. Meet Trent at the Environmental Education Center, located at the north end of Tilden’s Central Park Drive. For information, call 510-544-2233.
“Afternoon Adventures” is a series of naturalist-led programs at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley exploring Delta-related natural history topics.
There’s an adventure scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 19. It’s free and registration isn’t required.
Big Break is at 69 Big Break Road off Oakley’s Main Street. Meet at the visitor center. For information, call 510-544-3050.
Wildcat Canyon Regional Park is the venue for a birding walk from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, March 20 with naturalist Anthony Fisher.
Meet Anthony at the park’s Alvarado Staging Area, which is on Park Avenue off McBryde Avenue in Richmond. For information, call 510-544-2233.
Hikes for Tykes
Your small children will enjoy Hikes for Tykes, a series of naturalist-led walks for parents and kids. Hikes average about a mile. Organizers do not recommend strollers for most hikes. Bring a snack.
The Tyke Hike runs from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21 at Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline in San Leandro. Attractions will include a new butterfly garden.
Meet at the park’s Neptune Drive entrance. For information, call 510-544-3187.
You’ll find many more programs and activities available in the East Bay Regional Parks. For full information, visit the website, www.ebparks.org/things-to-do.