The bushtit is a year-round resident of Clear Lake State Park in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Brad Barnwell.

CLEAR LAKE STATE PARK – Beat the heat with an 8 a.m. walk in the park with naturalist Brad Barnwell on Aug. 7.

Walkers should meet at the visitor center ramp.

Binoculars and a pocket bird book always add to the experience. This time of year, all participants should have water with them. A quiet walk brings about the best observations.

Some young birds are still begging parents for food while others are preparing for migration. Actually, the cliff swallows that nest under the footbridge migrated as soon as the young fledged. In other species, immature birds have not yet developed full adult plumage and down may still appear in their feathering.

Some birds, such as bushtits that pair for parenting, are back in loose flocks and move from tree to tree foraging for insects and spiders. Sometimes their presence can be detected by hearing their soft twitter prior to actually seeing them.

There is always something new and exciting to report from each walk.

Park visitors have been exclaiming about the beauty of the park this year after our abundant rains. A Saturday morning walk is an excellent way to experience the natural world.

The summer visitor center museum and gift shop schedule is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers maintain this schedule.

If interested in volunteering in the visitor center or as a walk leader, please leave your name and contact information for Ranger Ryen Goering at 707-279-2267.

There is no entrance fee to the park for participating in walks. Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.

Visit www.clearlakestatepark.org for great photos, activity schedule and park information provided by Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association.