Notes about your surroundings

Crafty Holiday--Children ages 7 to 10 can spend this afternoon at Oak Canyon Nature Center making gifts from natural materials such as pine cones, grapevine and clay.

During the workshop, from 1 to 3 p.m., participants will create wreaths, candles and ornaments to take home. The workshop also will provide guided trail walks for children to explore the canyon. Cost is $6.50 per child. For more information, or to find out about other programs at the center, call (714) 998-8380.

Whereabouts: The center is at 6700 Walnut Canyon Road in Anaheim. To get to there, take the Riverside (91) Freeway east to the Imperial Highway turnoff. Exit and head south to Nohl Ranch Road, and turn left again. Pass the Anaheim Hills Golf Course; the nature center is at the end of the road, parking is on the left.

Bird News--South Coast Audubon has two events this week. The biggest is the annual bird count on Saturday. The dawn-to-dusk bird count covers 10 specific areas within south Orange County. Nonmembers are encouraged to participate.

To help National Audubon with publishing the results, each participant is asked to contribute $5. Afterward, birders will swap stories at Ball Park Pizza in the Ortega Business Center at 5 p.m.

If you’re interested in joining in the count, call Steve Stanton with South Coast Audubon at (714) 661-7525.

Young Audubons will meet on Wednesday at the Boys and Girls Club in San Clemente at 3:30 p.m. Participants will learn about whales and seals. Everyone interested in joining Young Audubons is invited to attend.

The Boys and Girls Club is located at 1304 Calle Valle in San Clemente. To get there, take the I-5 to Avenida Pico, head west. Take a left at N. El Camino Real, then take another left at Calle Valle. For more information, please call Eleanor Yutzi at (714) 492-5195.