IN BRIEF

-- Susan McCormack

Residents are invited to participate in a monthly three-hour kayak tour

of the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve on Saturday. The tour will be

guided by a volunteer naturalist with the state Department of Fish and

Game.

An instructor from Newport Beach’s Paddle Power kayak shop will lead the

excursion and provide an introductory lesson.

“For people who like bird-watching or don’t know about this beautiful

ecological reserve ... it’s the perfect opportunity,” said Sydney Balalis

of Paddle Power.

Highlights of the trip also include learning about the history of the

reserve and the Native Americans who once lived in the area.

The tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will begin on

Northstar Beach, 1 Whitecliffs Drive. Reservations are required and the

outing costs $40, not including lunch. Participants are encouraged to

bring snacks, hats and sunscreen. For more information, call (949)

675-1215.