Science / Medicine : Excursion Will Visit Wintering Bird Life

Hundreds of sandhill cranes, Canadian geese, snow geese and other waterfowl and shore bird species are expected to be seen at a weekend Audubon Society excursion to the Salton Sea on Feb. 15 and 16.

Nick Freeman of the Los Angeles chapter will lead participants to this abundant winter birding area to see white-faced ibis and, possibly, white pelicans, burrowing owls and other wintering species.

The Salton Sea area is a prime location for learning about, seeing and hearing thousands of birds not often seen in one location.

Participants can choose to stay for one or both days of the outing. For directions to the meeting site and advance registration, call (213) 876-0202.

ENVIRONMENT

Elden Hughes, past president of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter and member of the Bureau of Land Management California Desert District Advisory Council, will discuss the BLM’s wilderness study areas in the California Desert at a meeting of the California Native Plant Society on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Westwood Community Center. Call (213) 933-8993.

MARINE SCIENCE

The annual migration of the gray whale is under way. The Cabrillo Marine Museum has scheduled whale-watching trips from local harbors to observe these giant mammals, as well as dolphins, sea birds and other marine life. The naturalist-led trips are offered through the end of March. Call (310) 832-4444.

The Orange County Marine Institute in Dana Point will hold a full schedule of educational programs as part of its Festival of Whales Feb. 22 through March 8. Excursions to view migrating whales, a marine mammal safari to Santa Catalina and a visit to the Marine Mammal Laboratory are some of the highlights being offered through the institute. Lectures on marine science issues and tours of the tall ship Pilgrim will also be held. Early reservations for the field trips are required. Call (714) 248-0176 or (714) 496-2274.

ASTRONOMY

What would happen if an asteroid crashed into the Earth? What are the risks and what can be done about close encounters? These questions are addressed in “Target Earth,” a new planetarium program being shown at Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park. Call (213) 664-1191.

The structure and scale of the universe, stellar evolution and planetary exploration are some of the topics to be covered by Jon Hodge, Santa Monica College planetarium director, in “The Universe and You,” a one-day class offered by UCLA Extension on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for evening observation. Call (310) 825-7093.

Most Californians are familiar with earthquakes, but many may be unaware that other planets also experience quakes. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s astronomy program, “Worlds in Motion: Quakes on Planets,” will explore these planetary rumblings and offer visitors special tours to the museum’s seismographic facilities. Weekends through the end of March. Call (805) 682-3224.

HEALTH / MEDICINE

St. John’s Hospital and Health Center in Santa Monica continues its chemical dependency lecture series with Arlene Levin speaking on career problems of adults from dysfunctional families on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the seventh-floor auditorium. Advance registration is required, call (310) 829-8905.

The Cedars-Sinai “Yes We Can” Stroke Club for stroke survivors, their families and care givers, will discuss “Psychological Challenges After Stroke,” on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. in the Harvey Morse Auditorium. Call (310) 855-3184.