Event spotlights
journey of birds

The National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will celebrate "International Migratory Bird Day" (IMBD) by hosting a free event from noon-5 p.m. Sat., May 10 at Peter Strauss Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Hwy. (at Troutdale Drive), Agoura. At the site, which is a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA), visitors may join a celebration of the "Greatest Journey on Earth." The celebration will include bird walks, kids’ activities, a bird photo exhibit, displays and booths.

Live raptors will make an appearance at 2 p.m. and there will be a donated gift giveaway at 3:30 p.m.

IMBD exists to focus attention on the nearly 350 species of migratory birds that travel between nesting habitats in North America and non-breeding grounds in South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and in the Southern U.S.

Within the SMMNRA, Mugu and Malibu Lagoons are important stopovers on the Pacific Flyway (Alaska to South America), as are many of the coastal canyons.

This is the first time the event will be observed in the SMMNRA and is one of the few events to be held in the state. To learn more, please call the National Park Service Visitor Center at (805) 370-2301 or visit http://birds.fws.gov/imbd/.