Notes about your surroundings

Wetlands Tours--Guided public tours of the Bolsa Chica wetlands will be conducted this morning.

The tours, sponsored by Amigos de Bolsa Chica, will depart from the wetlands ecological reserve every 20 minutes beginning at 9 a.m. The last tour will depart at 10:30 a.m.

Bolsa Chica is one of the best bird-watching sites in the county. Likely sightings include egrets, loons, herons, grebes and other waterfowl and, at this time of year, migrant species are also likely to be wintering in the area.

Those who would like to take the tour should meet at the ecological reserve on Pacific Coast Highway, about half a mile south of Warner Avenue, across from Bolsa Chica State Beach.

San Diego Field Trip--The Sea & Sage Chapter of the National Audubon Society will hold a birding expedition to San Diego on Saturday at 8 a.m.

A variety of local and migrant birds are likely to be seen, including grebes, killdeers, terns and hawks, chapter officials say.

The group will meet at Ocean Beach Park near Mission Bay. Other birding sites may include Cabrillo National Monument, Rosecrans Cemetery, San Diego Bay and the Tijuana River Valley.

Participants should bring lunch, beverages and binoculars. Depending on birding conditions, the field trip may last until mid-afternoon.

To reach Ocean Beach Park, take Interstate 5 south to the Mission Bay area. Exit on Sea World Drive, continuing past Sea World and bear left onto Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, which is the second bridge across the channel. After crossing the channel, turn right on Voltaire Street to Ocean Beach Park. Birders will meet at the far end of the parking lot.

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