Notes about your surroundings.

Rare Bird Report--The bird-watching focus usually turns to unusual sightings of shore birds during the late summer months, and this year was no exception. Although fewer vagrants were seen this year compared to past years, according to the Sea & Sage chapter of the National Audubon Society, sites like Upper Newport Bay, the Bolsa Chica wetlands and San Joaquin Freshwater Marsh Reserve still netted a few sightings of note.

Three types of terns--a few black, a large number of elegants and an occasional royal--were seen at the Bolsa Chica wetlands in August. Several black skimmers joined the terns there through part of the month.

An adult lesser golden plover was seen in late August at the San Joaquin Marsh, and a similar bird was spotted a day later on the tern islands at Upper Newport Bay.

Also, several species of waterfowl were spotted arriving early for the fall migration. These include northern shovelers, cinnamon teals and northern pintails, spotted in several coastal areas.