A variety of options await the weekend explorer in North Carolina this weekend. Take note of seasonal changes in a nature journaling class at Weymouth Woods, check out the overwintering bird population on Greensboro’s Lake Townsend, or take advantage of the recent cold snap and Ski North Carolina!

Coast

The natural world is ever-changing. While we may notice the more substantial changes from month to month, the more subtle shifts, from week to week, even day to day, often elude us.

Why?

Because we aren’t paying close attention. That’s part of the goal of the monthly Nature’s Notebook clinics at Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve in Southern Pines. Once a month, hikers head out into this 915-acre preserve known for its stand of regal longleaf pines (but home to more than 1,000 species of plant life), with nature notebooks in hand, to observe and “collect phenological data as part of citizen science and keep a scientific nature journal throughout the year.” The program lasts 90 minutes.

Logistics: Saturday, Jan. 9, 3 p.m., Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Southern Pines. More info here, or call 910.692.2167.

Saturday forecast: High of 62, 70 percent chance of rain.

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Looking ahead: 8th Annual Cold Stroke Classic standup paddleboard competition, Blockade Runner at Wrightsville Beach, Jan. 22-23. More info here.

Piedmont

Come winter, North Carolina’s coast is generally regarded as a haven for snowbirds migrating from the north. We speak of the feathered-and-winged variety, who settle in by the tens of thousands at Pea Island, Lake Mattamuskeet, Alligator River and the other National Wildlife Refuges dotting our coast.

But not all of these seasonals go to the coast. Find out who comes inland at Sunday’s Waterfowl Birding Pontoon Tour on Greensboro’s Lake Townsend. Explore the lake for 90 minutes with a seasoned birder who explains who’s on the lake and why.

Can’t make Sunday’s session? There are five more tours scheduled through March 27.

Logistics: Sunday, Jan. 10, 3 p.m., Lake Townsend, Browns Summit. $7, reservations required as space is limited. More information here, or by calling 336.373.3741.

Sunday forecast: High of 58, mostly sunny.

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Looking ahead: Another seasonal birding opportunity: Winter Birds of the Piedmont, Saturday, Jan. 30, 9 a.m., Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Wake Forest. More info here.

Mountains

Finally, skiing!

The balmy weather that dominated the region for a long while has been chased by a mass of cold air that’s been perfect for snowmaking. As a result, all six of North Carolina’s ski areas will be open this weekend, with bases of up to 56 inches! And it’s not like only a slope or two are open; most had at least half of their mountain open midweek, meaning there’s a good chance they’ll be running full throttle come the weekend.

Get the latest snow reports from SkiSoutheast.com.

Logistics: Your best bet for up-to-date reports from North Carolina’s — and the Southeast’s — ski areas is through the aforementioned SkiSoutheast.com.

Weekend forecast: Warming, but the base will already be down.

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Looking ahead: Frostbite 5K, 10K, Feb. 21, Fletcher. More information here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

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