Notes about your surroundings.

Memoirs--The Natural History Foundation of Orange County has published its third volume of memoirs, a collection of papers addressing “Endangered Wildlife Habitats in Southern California.”

Edited by Peter J. Bryant and Janet Remington, the 114-page volume covers a wide variety of topics, including two papers on Upper Newport Bay: one on the flora and fauna of the bay in the ‘40s and early ‘50s, and a checklist of current plants. Dennis Kelly of Orange Coast College has written a report on the population biology of bottlenose dolphins off the Orange County coast.

Other topics include coastal sage-scrub restoration in Orange County; landscaping for wildlife; the wintering Canada geese at Quail Hill in Irvine, and articles on recovery efforts for bald eagles, peregrine falcons, the Stephens kangaroo rat and sea otters.

The status of two endangered Southern California butterflies, the Palos Verdes blue and the El Segundo blue, is also discussed. The Palos Verdes blue has not been seen since 1983, despite intensive annual searches. All but 1% of the dune habitat of the El Segundo blue has been destroyed.

An article by David Bontrager focuses on creating bird habitats in local gardens and public landscapes as a way to make up for some of the destruction of native habitats, which has all but eliminated several bird categories: native species that forage or nest on or near the ground, insectivorous birds and cavity nesters.

The lack of plant diversity in suburban gardens is leading to a corresponding lack of diversity in bird species. Successful birds are “adaptable generalists,” many of whom (such as the European starling) are non-native. Bontrager gives guidelines on planting to benefit native bird species.

Copies of the memoirs are available through the foundation for $10. The first two volumes are also available. Information: (714) 640-7120.

Workshops--Coming soon from the Santa Ana Zoo are fall Natural Science Workshops for children and families.

Workshop classes geared to ages 8 to 12 are held Saturday mornings. Saturday morning Family Workshops are for children ages 3 to 12 and a parent. Five sessions of Mommy and Me at the Zoo (for kids 3 and 4 years old) are held weekday mornings.

Tuition varies and reservations are required. Information: (714) 836-4000.