Notes about your surroundings

Back Bay Field Trip--The Sea & Sage chapter of the National Audubon Society will hold a field trip to the west side of Newport’s Back Bay on Saturday.

Bird-watching is usually done on the east side of the bay, but chapter officials say January is one of the best times of year to look for birds on the west side. Birds likely to be seen include a number of shorebirds, as well as ducks, grebes, terns and gulls.

The trip will begin at 8 a.m. Participants are asked to meet near the YMCA building at University and Backbay drives.

They should bring a jacket, binoculars, a scope if they have one and a bird book.

The trip is expected to last through the afternoon. Those who would like to participate are asked to bring a lunch.

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

Nature Center Classes--The Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim is offering three nature classes for children this week.

“Missing Mammals,” an animal science workshop for ages 6 to 10, will be offered at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“Monkeying Around,” an animal science nature hike for preschoolers, will be offered Thursday at 10 a.m.

“Bird Rarities,” a workshop on endangered birds for children ages 6 to 10 will be presented at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

The cost for each of the classes is $3.

Also, a family nature film festival will be held Saturday. It is free.

The center is at 6700 Walnut Canyon Road, Anaheim.

To reach the center, take the Riverside Freeway east to the Imperial Highway exit. Go south to Nohl Ranch Road. Turn left and travel about three miles to Walnut Canyon Road, and turn left again. The nature center is at the end of the road, parking is on the left.

Call (714) 998-8380 for more information.