Notes about your surroundingsBird counts field trip--The...

Notes about your surroundings

Bird counts field trip--The Sea & Sage chapter of the National Audubon Society will be hosting a field trip Saturday to look for the highlight birds seen during the two Christmas bird counts. The northeastern count was conducted Dec. 20; the coastal count is taking place today.

Since it won’t be known where the good bird sightings were until after the counts are completed and reviewed, an itinerary for the field trip will not be available until Saturday.

The group will meet at the Slater Avenue parking lot to Huntington Central Park at 8 a.m. The park was chosen for its central location and has been a good place for bird watching in the past.

To reach the park, take the Golden West Street off-ramp from the San Diego Freeway and head south. Make a left on Slater Avenue; the park will be on the right.

The length of the field trip will be determined by the locations of the birds to be seen.

For more information, contact the Sea & Sage chapter office at (714) 261-7963.

Afternoon adventures--The Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim will sponsor a series of afternoon programs for children ages 6 to 10.

The following is the schedule of topics for January:

* Tuesday--”Hawks and Owls”

* Thursday--”Winter Migrants”

* Jan. 12--”Hibernating Animals”

* Jan. 14--”Winter Survival”

* Jan. 19--”Rain, Sleet, Snow”

* Jan. 21--”Moon, Stars, Galaxies”

* Jan. 26--”Protecting Shoreline Animals”

* Jan. 28--”Freshwater Guardians”

The programs include activities, demonstrations, nature hikes and experiments.

Each program will be from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The fee is $3, and preregistration is urged because classes fill up quickly.

The center is at 6700 Walnut Canyon Road. Call (714) 998-8380 for more information.