Notes about your surroundings.

Shorebird Field Trips--Sylvia Gallagher of the Sea & Sage chapter of the National Audubon Society will lead a field trip at Upper Newport Bay for experienced birders on Friday. A duplicate version of the trip will be offered Saturday so the groups won’t be too large.

By midsummer, adults of many species of shorebirds are back in the county in large numbers, having started their fall migration. Because the species look totally unlike they do in wintertime, beginning birders might find identification difficult and are encouraged to wait for field trips that will be held later in the fall, when the birds are in their less confusing winter plumage.

Although the emphasis will be on shorebirds, participants will identify and observe other birds as well as practice birding by ear.

People interested in the trips are asked to meet at 8 a.m. either Friday or Saturday at San Joaquin Hills Road and Backbay Drive. The groups will start at Upper Newport Bay, but may move to other locations in the county to observe shorebirds.

Those interested in more information about the trips are asked to call Sylvia Gallagher at (714) 962-8990.

Nature Nights Program--Jane Minehan, a self-taught American Indian expert, will discuss “Indians of the Southwest” in a program at the Oak Canyon Nature Center Wednesday. She will share her knowledge of different tribes and will bring along cultural items to display.

A twilight walk through the canyon begins at 7 p.m., followed by the program at 7:30.

The center is at 6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road, Anaheim. The program is free, but donations will be accepted. For more information, call the center at (714) 998-8380.