OUTPOST.

Make history: This weekend bird-watchers across the country can participate in BirdSource Great '98 Backyard Bird Count, sponsored by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society.

The BirdSource count invites participants to count the species and number of birds they see at their bird feeders and in back yards, local parks or other outdoor locations Friday through Sunday as a way to help scientists learn more about American birds.

Bird counts and sighting information can be contributed on-line at http://birdsource.cornell.edu, and, in turn, BirdSource will provide almost instantaneous graphics and animated maps to participants, as well as on-line photos of birds to help identify species.

Information: [phone], or check in at the Web site listed above.

Senior games: The annual Senior Winter Games take place from Feb. 28 to March 3 in Running Springs in the San Bernardino Mountains for anyone 50 and older.

Participants can ski, ice skate, ice-fish, snow sculpt or take part in health and fitness seminars and indoor sports. Medals will be awarded. The games are affiliated with the California Senior Games Foundation and the U.S. National Senior Sports Organization. Information and registration: [phone].

Report is in: The final report of the Santa Monica Mountains Area Recreational Trails Project has been released and recommendations include identifying locations for backcountry trail camps along the Backbone Trail, flagging missing trail linkages in the range's trail system and improving trail and trailhead signage.

Interested parties can review a copy of the final report after Friday at public libraries or the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area headquarters, 30401 Agoura Road, Suite 100 in Agoura Hills. Copies can also be obtained while supplies last by calling [phone].

Talking turkey: The Tri-Valley Longbeards will host a turkey-season seminar and barbecue on Saturday at Moore-N-Moore Sporting Clays, 12651 N. Little Tujunga Road in Lake View Terrace.

The free seminar starts at 8 a.m. and includes tips for both seasoned and first-time hunters. Lunch begins at noon and costs $4. The meal will be followed by clay sport shooting at 1 p.m., so bring your shotgun for the contest. Registration: [phone] or [phone].

Big opening-day 'bows: The Feb. 12 trout opener at Santa Ana River Lakes - the Orange County fish-for-a-fee facility - did not disappoint visitors, who boated a remarkable 33 rainbows topping the 10-pound mark through Sunday.

Mike Harrison of Orange came away with the weekend's top prize, an 18-pound, 3-ounce brute that was fooled on a night crawler-marshmallow combination in Kid's Lake. Sylmar's Anthony Ramirez took a 14 -1/4-pounder on a marshmallow at the Bubble Hole.

Prep school for yachts: Hugh McIntyre, who sailed his 41-foot yacht Arielfrom the Pacific to the Caribbean, is scheduled to share his journey today at the California Yacht Club luncheon. If you are preparing your yacht for a long journey or a short jaunt - or even if you just want to see the slides and hear about a Caribbean trip - McIntyre's presentation promises to be entertaining and informative.

Happy hour starts at noon, with a buffet lunch scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the California Yacht Club, 4469 Admiralty Way in Marina del Rey. Reservations are not required. $11.25 covers lunch, tax, service and parking. Information: [phone].

-- Compiled by Jarre Fees and Brett Pauly