Notes about your surroundingsCasting Call--Volunteers will be...

Notes about your surroundings

Casting Call--Volunteers will be searching the waters Saturday at 9 a.m. to learn more about the wildlife of Upper Newport Bay. Working with a naturalist, groups of 10 to 30 participants will set a net from the beach at Shellmaker Island, bring fish to a special tank for identification and to record data, and then release them. Beach seines are also scheduled for these Saturdays in 1997: Feb. 8, March 8, April 5, May 17, June 21, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 6, Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 13. Shellmaker Island is off Backbay Drive in Newport Beach. Information: (714) 640-1742.

Bug Life--”Back Bay Bugs” is the topic of a slide program Thursday at the meeting of the South Coast Audubon Society. The presentation by Peter Bryant of the Biological Sciences Department at UC Irvine will examine the diversity and life cycle of insects and spiders found in the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Regional Park. It begins at 7 p.m. at the Community Center in Dana Point, 34052 Del Obispo St.

On Saturday, the Audubon Society chapter is planning a field trip to Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach to see such birds as California gnatcatchers, western meadowlarks, finches, doves and various shorebirds. Participants should meet at 8 a.m. and bring binoculars, bird book and water. Enter the park at the signal at State Park Road. After paying the $5 parking fee, turn left and park in the last lot. For information, call Janet Bales, (714) 499-1929.

Go for the Green--Applications for tree-planting funds through the Tree Society of Orange County must be received by Jan. 15. Garden clubs, PTAs, ecology clubs, Girl and Boy Scout troops and church-affiliated groups are among those eligible for the grants, which are for the purchase of trees and planting materials for use on public property. For an application, call (714) 870-7454 or write the Tree Society of Orange County, c/o Fullerton Arboretum, Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92834.

Dive In--Photographer and diver Tom Haight will give a slide show featuring several areas of the world at a meeting of the Orange County Marine Institute Volunteer Assn. It begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Marine Institute’s Whale Room, 2420O Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. Information: (714) 496-2274.