Notes about your surroundings.

Whiting Ranch Trip--The South Coast Audubon Society is sponsoring a bird-watching walk at the Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park on Saturday, beginning at 7:45 a.m.

Ranger Ginnie McVickar will lead the walk, which will include a trip into Red Rock Canyon.

Participants should be aware that while the majority of the trip is a somewhat easy hike, the last quarter of mile is a bit strenuous. They are asked to wear sturdy shoes and encouraged to bring water.

The trip will end between noon and 1 p.m.

To get to the park, take the Lake Forest Drive exit from Interstate 5 north to Portola Parkway. Go left on Portola, and the park entrance will be about one-half mile on the right, between Bake and Alton parkways.

For more information, McVickar can be reached at O’Neill Regional Park at (714) 858-9365.

Bird Survey--The California Department of Fish and Game is holding another in its continuing bird surveys at the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve on Saturday. The surveys are timed to coincide with the low tide, when bird viewing is best.

The actual count takes about 2 1/2 hours. Participants are asked to meet at 2:45 p.m. (20 minutes ahead of low tide) at the department’s trailer at Shellmaker Island, off Backbay Drive in Newport Beach.

The next surveys will be Nov. 21 and Dec. 19.

For more information about the survey and other programs at Upper Newport Bay, call the California Department of Fish and Game office at (714) 640-6746.