The season’s last bald eagle tour is set for March 1, but Big Bear Discovery Center has plenty of other activities on tap during the month.

    It’s last call for bald eagles in March, as the population of birds that call Big Bear home during the winter months gradually return to summer homes in Montana, Wyoming, Canada and even Alaska. The Discovery Center’s final tour is slated for Saturday, March 1 from 9 a.m.-noon, as guests are introduced to America’s national symbol with an informative presentation and then driven around the lake in search of perch locations.

    Along the way tour-goers often see coyotes, ducks, great blue herons and other wildlife, and on most occasions are successful in eyeing at least one bald eagle. Spotting scopes and telescopes are provided, and guests are encouraged to bring their own too. Cost is $30, ages 8-16 $20.

    Snowshoe Tours should continue through March each Saturday from 1-4 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m.-noon thanks to all the natural snow. Celebrate Big Bear’s winter wonderland by exploring scenic spots in Big Bear on snowshoes! A few quick pointers are all it takes to get going on the tours, which are led by Discovery Center naturalists, who talk about local ecology as well as interesting history.

    North-facing shaded slopes are popular destinations for the tours, including Pine Knot Trail, a favorite with summer hikers. Forest Service road 2N10 past Millcreek Rd. is another favored spot. Cost is $35 for adults, ages 8-16 $25, and include snowshoe rental, transportation into the forest, snack and water.

    Two interesting programs are also on tap in March at Discovery Center. Friday, March 21 sees the free Nature Night program Close Encounters with California Condors from 7-8 p.m. Presented by photographer, writer and naturalist Erv Nichols, the program is a humorous and reflective look at his experiences as a volunteer ranger in the Grand Canyon and efforts to bring the California Condor back from the brink of extinction.

    Nichols was a former Discovery Center naturalist and well-known Big Bear photographer and writer, before he departed into the southwest to share his knowledge and love of Forest lands and wildlife. His program is filled with breathtaking images of the Grand Canyon.

    Then on Saturday, March 22, Primitive Tanning Workshop is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The three-day class—other dates are March 29 and April 5—shows how Native Peoples and early settlers took raw hides and skins and transformed them into usable leather for clothes and shelters.

    Students start with a raw, untouched deer hike, and are shown the skills involved with primitive tanning. After a lot of hard work, they’ll end up with a beautiful hike that can be displayed in the home or used for clothing, moccasins and such.

    Reservations are required by March 14 and the class is limited to eight people Cost is $100 per person.

    Popular Animal Tracking programs continue as well at Discovery Center on Saturday, March 8 and 22 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn how to track the animals found in this forest and even make your own tracks! Cost is just $3.

    Saturdays see free Nature Walks led by naturalists around Discovery Center’s forested grounds at 1 and 2 p.m. Each 30-minute adventure teaches local flora and fauna and is fun for the whole family.

    Big Bear Discovery Center is at (909) 866-3437.