Notes about your surroundings

Owl Prowl--The Sea & Sage chapter of the National Audubon Society will have a field trip to look for owls tonight at Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park.

Participants will learn about owl habitat and about their status in the county. Owls to be sought will include the great horned, barn and screech. Trip leaders will attempt to capture as many owls as possible.

A second owl trip will be held Nov. 21.

The park is at 33401 Ortega Highway, about 7 1/2 miles east of Interstate 5. There is a $2 parking fee.

Participants are asked to meet in the parking lot next to the park entrance booth at 5 p.m. Each should bring a flashlight and jacket, and you may bring a camera if you wish.

People are also encouraged to bring a sack dinner, as there should be time to eat while the trip leader checks the traps and brings the owls back to the group. The trip will end between 10 and 11 p.m.

For more information, call trip leader Pete Bloom at (714) 544-6147 or trip coordinator Nancy Kenyon at (714) 786-3160.

Doheny Trip--The South Coast Audubon group will have a bird walk Saturday. Those who would like to participate are asked to meet at 3:30 p.m. at the interpretive center at Doheny State Beach.

Birds likely to be spotted on the trip include gulls, night and green herons, egrets and other waterfowl.

Participants are asked to bring a picnic dinner and warm clothing; walkers will break for dinner in the evening, then continue bird watching.

The center is off Dana Point Harbor Drive south of Coast Highway. There is a $6 parking fee in the state beach lot, and there also is metered parking close by.

For more information about the walk, call (714) 858-8698 or (714) 830-7806.