Environment : Notes about your surroundings.

Countdown--Bird watchers will be flocking to the inland areas of the county today for the first day of the annual bird count sponsored by the local Sea & Sage chapter of the National Audubon Society. The coastal portion of the count takes place Dec. 31.

Last year, 161 birds were counted on the inland, or northeastern, portion (22nd highest in the nation) and 201 were spotted on the coastal count (4th highest). Most Audubon chapters sponsor just one count, but Sea & Sage has two “because of the wide variety of habitats we have,” according to Sea & Sage spokeswoman Nancy Kenyon.

The success of the counts depends largely on the weather, Kenyon said, with rain or wind the worst possible news. “The weather makes all the difference in the world,” she explained. “We need clear skies.”

Sea & Sage will hold its annual specialties field trip Jan. 6, which highlights areas where unusual species were spotted during the counts. For information on the trip or count, or to volunteer, call count chairman Gerald Tolman, (714) 539-8040. More Audubon News--The chapter continues its effort to reintroduce native plants to Irvine Regional Park in Orange with a day of planting beginning at 8 a.m. Jan. 7. The effort will focus on a new area in the southeastern region of the park.

Recently, volunteers turned out at the park to weed some areas planted previously. Fences around the plants were then taken down, and the area will no longer be artificially watered.

“They look quite good,” Kenyon said. “Hopefully, they will continue to look good now that the public can go in.”

Newly planted natives are fenced and watered for a time to give them a chance to establish their roots. Native plants have been largely pushed out of the park by introduced exotic plants and grasses.

To volunteer for the event, call Susan Sheakley, (714) 552-5974.