An Introduction to Birds, Book : Wildlife: Students and public officials touring the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve get a look at a new viewing guide to plants and animals, including endangered species.

Loren Battieste stood on the edge of the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, mesmerized. Looking out at the 892 acres of open space bordering Back Bay Drive, the fifth-grader couldn’t believe the place was real.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “I didn’t know something like this could be here (in Orange County), so close. I thought you could only find this kind of place in Big Bear.”

Loren and about 40 schoolmates from South Coast Christian Academy in Santa Ana toured the reserve Wednesday as members of the California Watchable Wildlife Project introduced a 160-page paperback directory to California wild birds, mammals, reptiles, plants and insects.

The book, “California Wildlife Viewing Guide,” contains descriptions of 150 sites and information on endangered species and other wildlife found at them.

“One to 3 million people come here each year,” Jeanne L. Clark, author of the viewing guide, told a gathering of about 20 government officials, residents and state Department of Fish and Game naturalists. Meanwhile, silver mullets and flying fish jumped in and out of the water in the bay behind her, site No. 127 in the viewing guide.

The estuary is home to about 30,000 birds, 78 species of fish, insects and endangered animals, she said.

“Wildlife is becoming part of the American passion,” Clark said. “The premise behind the wildlife program and this book is to tell people where to go and where to look for wildlife, and turn people into more informed observers and active conservationists.”

“We want to show people some of the creatures that are here. These places are important,” added Shirley Green, one of the reserve’s volunteer tour guides, who taught the children about migration and endangered animals.

The viewing guide, Clark said, is the culmination of a combined effort involving 14 private and government groups, including the Defenders of Wildlife and CalTrans.

Students hiked through the reserve, discovering colorful plants that the Gabrielino Indians once grew and learning the history of the area.

“Look,” said Bethya McTaggart, 16, gazing through a pair of binoculars, pointing to a long-billed curlew. “I never noticed so many birds before.”

Cindy Avila, 11, held an American kestrel, and her classmates petted a great horned owl and a red-tailed hawk that the Orange County Bird of Prey Center, a rehabilitation and release center for rare birds, brought to the estuary Wednesday.

“This is so interesting,” Cindy said. “You don’t get to see these things every day.”

“I think Newport is very fortunate to have this sort of a facility so close for our residents to enjoy,” said Newport Beach City Councilwoman Jean H. Watt, a founder of the Newport Conservancy. “I think it’s something that goes a long way toward creating a better society.”

State Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) agreed. “It’s great therapy to be able to walk around the bay when you’re seeking relief from urban and suburban strife,” she said.

Caltrans is posting new road signs at the entrances to the 150 sites in the book. The brown signs, which sport a pair of white binoculars, will guide people to the wetlands.

Those who would like a copy of the book should ask local bookstores to order it, call Falcon Press at (800) 582-2665 or call the Department of Fish and Game at (310) 590-4808.