Notes about your surroundings.

Bird Hot Line--The Friends of Upper Newport Bay has established a hot-line number for birders to call if they have spotted a rare or unusual bird in the Back Bay area.

The phone number is (714) 651-9474.

A bird worth reporting could be one that is there at an unusual time of year, a migrant that has arrived weeks ahead of schedule or a species that used to be common there but has not been spotted for some time.

Those reporting a sighting will be asked to give the name and description of the bird, the location and surrounding habitat, the time spotted and weather conditions. Callers are also asked to leave their name and phone number for any necessary follow-up questions about the sighting.

Bolsa Chica Work Session--Volunteers are needed Saturday to remove vegetation from the least tern nesting islands at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach. The work session will be from 8 a.m. to noon.

The California Department of Fish and Game will transport volunteers to the islands by rowboat and provide gloves and light refreshments.

Participants should bring hoes and rakes. They are asked to meet at the ecological reserve on Pacific Coast Highway, about half a mile south of Warner Avenue, across from Bolsa Chica State Beach.

For more information, call (714) 897-7003.

Nature Day--Gum Grove Park in Seal Beach will be the site of a Wilderness Day March 29.

A bird watching tour will start at 9 a.m. Binoculars will be available for those who want to observe the birds and their nests more closely.

Games, activities and food booths will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The park entrance is on Avalon Drive, off Catalina Avenue.