1 . Situated along the Pacific Flyway, a good migratory path that stretches from Alaskn to Patagonia, Santa Cruz plays host to hundreds of bird species. Just head to one of the spots listed below and see for yourself!
UCSC Arboretum
The diverse plants that attract a wide range of birds make these gardens a wonderful place to start. Mark your calendar for the Arboretum's popular Hummingbird Days, a family-friendly festival that celebrates the tiny birds on March 5th and 6th.
Natural Bridges State Beach
This scenic park is excellent for bird watchers due to its wide sampling of local habitats. Over 250 bird species have been recorded in the area.
Neary Lagoon
Birdsong fills the air at this peaceful oasis less than a 10-minute walk from the fun of the Santa Cruz Beach. A walkway allows visitors a front-row view of birds such as American Coots.
Watsonville Wetlands
The wetlands provide a year-round home for local birds and serve as a stop for migratory birds visiting from faraway. Drop by the Nature Centre for exhibits, maps, and suggestions for best spots to visit.
Birding Tips
●The early birder gets the worm. You’re likely to see more birds earlier rather than later in the day.
●No two visits are likely to be the same. Varying times and seasons bring different birds and behaviour.
●No matter how cute those little birds are, you should resist feeding them with your bread. It's unhealthy for the bird and the surrounding ecosystem.
How to Get More Involved
We recommend joining the Santa Cruz Birding Club for public events and abundant online guides. Contact us free at Birding & Wildlife Watch Kit for registration.
1. Why are there many birds in the UCSC Arboretum?A.The place is very family-friendly. |
B.There are many kinds of plants. |
C.There are Arboretum's Hummingbird Days. |
D.The place has wide sampling of local habitats. |
A.Neary Lagoon. | B.UCSC Arboretum. |
C.Watsonville Wetlands. | D.Natural Bridges State Beach |
A.In the morning. | B.In the noon. | C.In the afternoon. | D.In the evening. |
2 . New Zealand has been home to many famous movies because of its breathtaking and unreal landscapes(风景). From rainforests and fish-filled rivers to magical caves, New Zealand has them all. Besides having the most beautiful landscapes on earth, New Zealand is a center for many exciting sports! Whatever purpose of your visit to the land is. there is certainly something for everyone!
Fiordland National Park
This park has some of the most beautiful landscapes of the country. If you are lucky enough to visit this place, you can explore the rainforests? the wide lakes» the hidden islands, and the flowing waterfalls. This national park is considered one of the best for hiking lovers.
Bay of Islands
This island is the most preferred by the tourists for holiday destination(目的地). It is located in the north of Auckland and is made up of more than 144 islands, making it a good place for sailing. The beautiful Bay of Islands is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country.
Queenstown
Queenstown is the place for adventures! It is the go-to place for those who like rock climbing and skiing. However, this wonderful place doesn't only offer activities full of excitement but also first-class hotels, restaurants, and even the "Middle Earth" where Lord of the Rings was filmed.
Tongariro National Park
This national park can be found in the middle of North Island. It has New Zealand's largest lake passing right through it. It is one of the oldest national parks in the world but luckily it has been protected perfectly. Besides sightseeing, the national park also includes other activities such as camping and hiking.
1. What can you do in Fiordland National Park?A.Explore the rainforests. | B.Go sailing. |
C.Go skiing. | D.Climb the mountain. |
A.Queenstown. | B.Bay of Islands. |
C.Fiordland National Park. | D.Tongariro National Park. |
A.A research paper. | B.A report. |
C.A health magazine. | D.A guidebook. |
3 . You should see the photo. I'm sitting in red dirt, wearing an ugly purple T-shirt. My hair is wet with sweat. Flies buzz around my head. I'm on a school trip with 20 parents and 20 kids.
It was an odd choice for a holiday. I like sitting by the pool with a cola, not flies and frogs. I like being alone and quiet, not a busload of kids. I like freshly washed sheets, not dry-looking blankets.
But here's the thing about that photo: I am smiling!
The trip sounded good when I signed up. Guides would take us into the heart of the place, and I would see a new part of Australia, learn about local culture and bond with my youngest daughter. I would also bond with 40 strangers.
In Darwin, we got onto a bus. The kids were loud and I hated making small talk. But later, when I looked out at the vast, empty land, I was surprised at and moved by its beauty. At a national park, we enjoyed a natural swimming hole. Kids and parents had a great time. Then we got to the outback. The cabin(小屋) I shared with my daughter was a brick cell, full of geckos and crickets, but too dark to see them. On our last night, a water pipe broke. We awoke to a mess. Usually, I would have complained and asked for a refund, but it just seemed normal to be dirty It didn't matter. Indeed, it was impossible to say clean. We were hiking in red dirt with temperatures of 35 degree. Sill, I felt a kind of energy I hadn't experienced in years.
I love that photo of me in the dirt. I look messy, but also happy. Sometimes, it's another way of traveling .There is beautiful scenery .There is dirt. There is always someone to talk to, someone to laugh with.
1. What were the author's usual trips like according to the article ?A.Cheap. | B.Adventurous. | C.Comfortable. | D.Crowded. |
A.Their living conditions were fairly poor during the whole trip. |
B.Their journey was relaxing without too much sightseeing. |
C.The scenery on the trip disappointed them to some degree. |
D.The parents seemed to enjoy themselves more than their children. |
A.Impatient. | B.Delighted. | C.. Disappointed. | D.Exhausted. |
A.It's important to choose your trip wisely. | B.It's beneficial to travel with your children. |
C.It's worthwhile to step out of your usual experience. | D.It's advantageous to travel different places. |
4 .
One of the most popular travel destinations in the world, England offers almost endless possibilities for vacationers seeking fun things to do and top attractions to visit. | |
Tower of London Built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, the White Tower is home to amazing exhibits, such as Line of Kings, the world's oldest visitor attraction, established in 1652. Other highlights include the impressive Crown Jewels exhibition,classic Yeoman Warder Tours. If you're traveling with children, be sure to check for special events for kids,including"Knights School” and other immersive programs that provide a fun insight into the castle's history. | ![]() |
Stonehenge Stonehenge is Europe's best-known prehistoric monument. It's so popular that visitors need to reserve a ticket in advance to guarantee entry. Exhibitions at the excellent Stonehenge visitor center set the stage for a visit, explaining through audio-visual experiences and more than 250 ancient objects how the enormous stones were established between 3000 and 1500 BC,and sharing information about life during this time. | ![]() |
The British Museum With collections of antiquities that are among the world's finest,the British Museum holds more than 13 million artifacts from Egypt, Greece, the Roman Empire and China. The most famous artifacts are the Elgin Marbles from the Parthenon in Athens. Besides,the Ancient Egyptian collection is the largest outside of Cairo, and the hoard of Roman silver, unearthed in Suffolk in 1942, is nothing short of impressive. | ![]() |
Warwick Castle If you're looking for a truly memorable English excursion for the whole family, and one that offers a fascinating insight into life through exhibitions,you couldn't do much better than visit Warwick Castle. Located in the beautiful city of Warwick on the River Avon, this impressive fortress has dominated the landscape and history of the region for more than 900 years. | ![]() |
1. Where can visitors appreciate exhibits from different countries?
A.Tower of London. | B.Stonehenge. | C.The British Museum. | D.Warwick Castle. |
A.It reflects life of different stages. | B.It provides fun games for children. |
C.It is more suitable for a family tour. | D.It encourages tourists to book tickets. |
A.Wonderful exhibits. | B.Impressive landscapes. |
C.An extremely long history | D.An audio-visual experience. |