Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach. Information: (714) 840-1575
Guided tours are held on the first Saturdays of each month beginning between 9-10:30 a.m. Meet at parking lot on Pacific Coast Highway, across from main entrance of Bolsa Chica State Beach. Plan to observe mainly migratory shore birds and waterfowl (especially in fall and winter), such as avocets, herons, egrets, the black-crested night heron, black-necked stilt and three kinds of terns, including the Caspian and endangered least tern. Also, a variety of raptors (hawks) can usually be seen in surrounding ecalyptus groves.

Ballona Welands, Marina del Rey. Information (323) 254-0252
Over 150 species have been spotted here, some of which include brown pelicans, cormorants, gulls, terns, sandpipers, plovers, herons, egrets, and kingfishers.

Eaton Canyon Nature Center, 1750 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena. Information: (626) 398-5420
Guided tours are held on the third Sundays of each month beginning at 8 a.m. The two hour walk includes a look at oaks, willows, chaparral and surrounding streams typically attract scrub jays, towhees, gold finches and several hawk species. The walks are co-sponsored by the Pasadena Audubon Society.

Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada. Information: (818) 952-4401
Guided tours are held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month beginning at 8 a.m. Here, you will find one of the largest collections of camellias in the world and this varied habitat attracts waterfowl, hummingbirds, five species of hawks, and three species of owls.

L.A. State and County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Information: (626) 821-3222
Guided tours are held on the first Sundays of each month beginning at 8 a.m. Groups are led through the aboretum with its two natural lagoons and sections duplicating the foilage of South Africa and Australia. Species that have been spotted include hummingbirds, ring-necked ducks and black-crown night herons.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens, 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont. Information: (909) 625-8767
Guided tours are held on the second Saturdays of each month beginning at 9 a.m. The 85 acre Botanic Garden includes ponds and native vegetation which attracts about 90 species including the California quail, Cooper's hawk and the barn owl.

South Coast Botanic Gardens, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula. Information: (310) 544-6815
Guided tours are held the first Sunday of each month beginning at 8 a.m. This 85-acre garden houses the Allen's hummingbird and about one-third of all the birds found in the country.

Whittier Narrows Nature Center, 1000 N. Durfee Ave., South El Monte. Information: (626) 575-5523
Guided tours are held every Sunday beginning at 8 a.m. Walks are conducted from the nature center and are approximately two hours long. Species that have been spotted include warblers, vireos, orioles, and the black-headed grosbeak.

Non-Guided Excursions:

Topanga State Park

Verdugo Hills

L.A. River