Join Audubon on trips

The Ventura Audubon Society is sponsoring a number of birding trips over the next few weeks. Beginners are welcome and rain cancels any trip.

+Restoration Work Day, Santa Paula, 9 a.m. to noon Sat., May 5 for the Hedrick Ranch nature area restoration program. 8 a.m. for birding. Leader: Sandy Hedrick, 340-0478. The least bells vireo was sighted recently. Wear sturdy work shoes and gardening gloves.

+Ojai San Antonio Creek Area, 8:30 a.m. Sun., May 6. Leader: Allen Bertke, 640-9037. The site has varied habitat including woodlands, meadows and grasslands bordered by the creek. There are opportunities to see many birds including swallows, kingbirds, bluebirds, mergansers and killdeer. From Ventura, car pool at 8 a.m. from the side parking lot of the Ventura County Museum, 100 E. Main St. From Ojai, meet at the Park-and-Ride on Fox Street at 8:15 a.m.

+Rancho Sierra VistaSatwiwa, 8:30 a.m. Tues., May 8. Leader: Janet Kessler, 650-3382. Rancho Sierra Vista offers grasscovered hills, riparian areas and canyons for birding opportunities. Sightings should include raptors, birds of the canyon and grasslands, and warblers. Bring a hat and water. To car pool, meet at Vons shopping center between McDonalds and Starbucks at Telegraph Road and Victoria Avenue in Ventura at 7:50 a.m.

+Hedrick Ranch Nature Area, 8 a.m. Sat., May 19 for the annual meeting and picnic. Leader: Sandy Hedrick, 340-0478. $10 for lunch. Possible sightings include a thick-billed kingbird, vermilion flycatcher and lazuli bunting.

+Beginners bird walk, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sat., May 26 at the Ojai Persimmon Hill area. Leader: Allen Bertke, 640-9037. Expected sightings include orioles, bluebirds, hummingbirds, towhees, nuthatches and hawks. Bring binoculars, a field guide, hat and water. From Ventura, meet at the Ventura County Museum side parking lot, 100 East Main St. at 8 a.m. to car pool. In Ojai, meet at the Park-and-Ride on Fox Street at 8:15 a.m.