Walking in the Park: It’s for the Birds

This Sunday the Audubon Society sponsors a free, guided bird-watching walk through Malibu Lagoon State Park, which is suitable for families with school-age children. “This is the best time of year for bird watching,” Audubon member Peggy Forster said. “The migration is in full force. (And) one of the best places to see birds is at Malibu Lagoon, which is a major stopping point on the path from Alaska to South America.”

The walk--on raised boardwalks to preserve the fragile environment--takes two to three hours and will lead to the lagoon channel at ocean’s edge. Babies in backpacks are welcome, Forster said, but the walk is not conducive to the use of strollers. She recommends bringing binoculars to enhance the experience. There’ll be a scope available for people to use.

Visitors are sure to see pelicans, herons, terns, ducks, sea gulls. Other possibilities are sandpipers, plovers, kingfisher and snowy egret. There have been 262 bird species recorded in the vicinity, with 50 species known to nest there.

No reservations are necessary. Those interested are asked to gather at 9 a.m. at the kiosk right off the parking lot in Malibu Lagoon State Park (23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, (818) 706-1310). Entrance to the park is free, and there are picnic and restroom facilities. Park parking is $3 per car, but there is often free street parking this time of year. Bring food from home or pick some up from the deli counter at Hughes Market across Pacific Coast Highway. Also across the street is Malibu Country Mart with several dining possibilities, both eat-in and take-out.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Children’s Expo--The Long Beach Convention Center will be brimming with kids’ stuff this weekend. There will be more than 150 exhibits, about a third of which will be vendors selling clothing, toys, games and safety items. Other exhibits will include a 30-gallon “touch tank” full of marine life from the Catalina Marine Institute, a petting zoo, pony rides and face painting. Throughout both days, local youth groups will perform. It’s all under one roof at 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. The expo is open today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission for adults is $5 (with $1 off for adults who bring a canned food donation to go to the City of Hawaiian Gardens Food Bank), $2.50 for kids.

FILM

“Giving, Sharing, Caring”--This afternoon the Children’s Film and Television Center presents five films with the common theme of thanksgiving. “The Selfish Giant” learns about sharing from children who want to play in his garden. “The Stone Soup” features three peddlers who fool a peasant village with their magic brew. “Three Gifts” is a Czechoslovakian folk tale about a poor man who shelters three strangers. Also on the program: “The Happy Prince” and “The Giving Tree.” The 90-minute program begins at 1 p.m. at the Four Star Theater, 5112 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Admission is $2 per person and reservations are not required. Call (213) 743-8632 for more information.

THEATER

The Thirteen Clocks--The Nine O-Clock Players of the Assistance League of Los Angeles are an inspired group of volunteers who put on two children’s plays a year. This fall’s offering is based on a children’s book by James Thurber and is packed with all the elements that seem to thrill kids: a prince, a princess, a villain, an almost impossible task. The musical play, which runs an hour and a half with intermission, begins at 2 p.m. today and Sunday. (Final performances are next weekend.) Tickets are $4 and reservations are suggested for performances at 1367 N. St. Andrews Place, Hollywood, (213) 469-1970.