Slough announces October events

The South Slough Estuary has a number of events planned for October.

Visitors can learn about birds, enjoy local music and food, and even discover flying mammals:

• Birds on the Estuary is planned from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday. Individuals can join fellow birders to explore the shores in search of winged wildlife. An interpreter will provide binoculars and spotting scopes, and all will meet at the Charleston Visitors Center. The cost is $1 per birder.

• Preserving National Trea-sures with Cheryl Lee Lindmeier will run from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Local artist Cheryl Lee will survey techniques used to display natural wonders collected. Participants can bring their own treasures such as shells and leaves. There also will be demonstrations of weaving techniques.

The cost is $10 per person, and base materials will be provided.

• Octoberfish at the old Charleston School will kick of at noon Saturday, Oct. 11. The festival offers local food, music and art including South Slough fish printing and FOSS bookstore items. All of the fun is in support of the Charleston food bank.

• Paddle at the Estuary will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. Individuals can discover the beauty of South Slough by traveling from Charleston to Hinch Road with the tide. Participants can bring their own kayak or canoe, life jacket, lunch and water. The cost is $15 per boat.

• April Azary Thomas will talk about owls from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 18. Author and naturalist Azary Thomas will spend the morning dissecting owl pellets.

Participants can learn about the owls of South Slough and what’s hidden inside their pellets. The cost is $3 per person.

• Tide of the Toddlers-Nocturnal Animals will run from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Children ages 1 to 5 years old are welcome to come sing songs, read stories, make crafts and explore the natural world. The cost is $1 per toddler.

• BATS with Steve Langen-stein will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. This free event offers learning about flying mammals from wildlife biologist Langenstein.

 The South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is four miles south of Charleston on Seven Devils Road.

For more information, or to register for programs in advance, call 888-5558. Additional information can be found on the South Slough’s Web site, http://www.southsloughestuary.org.