8 Great Fall Birding Spots

near Downtown Los Angeles

Daniel S. Cooper

Cooper Ecological Monitoring, Inc.

Updated June 2005

Visiting birders to Los Angeles are almost always overwhelmed – the endless freeways, mile after mile of identical houses inches from their neighbors, strip malls and smog check centers, cement river channels…it’s a wonder there are birds anywhere. Most of the urban parks throughout the country are highly manicured, with lawn and heavily-trimmed trees.

But the locals know that this place offers some fabulous birding if you know where to go, when to go, and how to bird places once you get there.

The best course of action is to hook up with an organized walk led by one of the 10+ Audubon chapters in the area. But if you want to go it alone, the following is a description of some of the more popular birding sites within an hour of Downtown Los Angeles.

All sites are described from the 110 Freeway in Downtown L.A.

North of Downtown, this is called the “Pasadena Freeway”.

South of Downtown, it’s the “Harbor Freeway”.

Public transportation instructions given from Union Station

General notes for autumn birding:

The Los Angeles is at its hottest from July to the end of September (or early October), so dress accordingly when birding, and always bring a hat and water.

Temperatures are usually at least in the 80s in the L.A. Basin, and may be over 100 in the valleys near the foot of the mountains, well into September. Near the coast and in the local mountains (above 6000’), it will be in the 70s during the day.

Migration of shorebirds is at its peak in late August and September, with over three dozen species possible in around Los Angeles County. Aside from teal (all 3 spp.) and Northern Pintail, most migratory waterfowl won’t arrive until the middle of September. Migrant warblers, vireos, flycatchers, Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting and Black-headed Grosbeak should be at their peak in mid-September. However, sparrows won’t come through in large numbers until October. Inshore waterbirds (loons, scoters) won’t be here until around November, but rocky shorebirds (e.g. Black Oystercatcher) remain in small numbers practically year round. The mountains can be very productive, with birds (incl. lots of young-of-the-year) concentrated around springs and even leaky faucets in campgrounds and picnic areas along Hwy. 2 north of Pasadena. Offshore, pelagic birding seems to peak in September, and though you may see some species with a scope from shore (Black-vented and Sooty shearwaters, Parasitic Jaeger), you will see many more species (incl. storm-petrels and alcids) by taking fishing and whale-watching boats from San Pedro, located due south of Downtown L.A. (incl. the ferry to Catalina Isl.).

Many people enjoy seeing the various exotic species that have become established in the Los Angeles area. When birding here, don’t be alarmed if you witness a flock of Yellow-chevroned Parakeets screeching overhead, a free-flying macaw or Cockatiel, or something even stranger.

NORTH

Ernest E. Debs Park

Take the 110 Fwy. north to Ave. 52 (5 mi.)

Turn right on Ave. 52 and follow as it turns quickly right and becomes Griffin Ave.

After ½ mi., turn left into Debs Park driveway.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

Gold Line – Southwest Museum stop. Cross Figueroa Ave. to Sycamore Grove Park, continue north through park and take pedestrian bridge over 110 Fwy./Arroyo Seco to Griffin Ave. Turn right 200 meters to entrance (15 min. walk)

Description: Nearly 300 acres of oak-walnut woodland in the middle of L.A. May be very hot (100+ degrees) in the late morning/afternoon.

Target species: Allen’s and Anna’s hummingbirds, Western Scrub-Jay, Band-tailed Pigeon, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Bewick’s Wren, Rufous-crowned Sparrow (around parking lot), Acorn Woodpecker (in neighborhood to west), Spotted and California Towhees, Lesser Goldfinch, Spotted Dove (on telephone wires in residential neighborhood to south and west).

Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park

Take the 101 Fwy. north to Gower (4 mi.)

Turn right on Gower to Franklin (1 block)

Turn right on Franklin to Bronson (2 blocks)

Turn left, and follow uphill (1 mi.), parking at the end.

Trail leads up to ridgeline, with canyon on left.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

Red Line – Hollywood/Western stop. Take cab up Western to Franklin Ave. Left on Franklin to Bronson. Follow direction above. (10 min. cab ride from station)

Description: Griffith Park is a large, rustic park with sumac chaparral and pockets of oak and riparian woodland. Great for “Californian” specialties. Can be very hot in the late morning/afternoon (100+ degrees).

Target species: Similar to above, plus California Quail, Hutton’s Vireo, Phainopepla, Oak Titmouse, Wrentit, California Thrasher.

WEST

Ballona Valley

Take the 110 Fwy. south to I-10 (1 mi.).

I-10 west to 405 Fwy. (10 mi.)

South to Jefferson Blvd. (5 mi.)

West on Jefferson to Lincoln Blvd. (2 mi.)

Just beyond Lincoln (you’ll see the marsh on the left), do a U-turn and park along Jefferson to bird “Ballona Freshwater Marsh”.

Continue west on Jefferson to Culver, turn left to end to bird Del Rey Lagoon and jetties at Playa del Rey (north end of Pacific Ave.).

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

No easy public transportation from central Los Angeles. Short (10 min.) cab ride from LAX.

Description: Ballona Freshwater Marsh (“BFM”) is a newly-constructed wetlands that is quickly becoming one of the best birding areas in L.A. You can walk an L-shaped trail along level path. Del Rey Lagoon and the Playa del Rey jetties are very crowded on weekends but still offer good birding year round. Usually fairly cool and breezy.

Target species: Cinnamon Teal, Black-necked Stilt, White-tailed Kite, small numbers of shorebirds, waders and waterfowl at BFM. After birding here, continue west to the coast and look for Elegant Tern, Heermann’s Gull, Black Turnstone, Surfbird and Black Oystercatcher on jetties in Playa del Rey

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area (Baldwin Hills)

Take the 110 Fwy. south to the I-10 (1 mi.)

I-10 west to La Cienega Blvd. (5 mi.)

Left on La Cienega south to where it starts climbing up into Baldwin Hills (3 mi.)

Watch for exit to Hahn Rec. Area on right.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

No easy public transportation from central Los Angeles. Short (15 min.) cab ride from LAX.

Description: Large, semi-landscaped park with lawns and planted trees, but also some native scrub on the borders.

Target species: White-tailed Kite, Allen’s Hummingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Bewick’s Wren, migrants (esp. Warbling Vireo, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Wilson’s Warbler).

SOUTH

Lower Los Angeles River

Take 110 Fwy. south to 405 Fwy. (20 mi.)

Take 405 Fwy. south to 710 “Long Beach” Fwy. (5 mi.)

Take 710 Fwy. south to Willow St. (2 mi.)

Exit Willow St. East

Cross over L.A. River (channel) and take first left into residential neighborhood on north (left) side of Willow.

Take a quick left and follow to end, at access gate to river channel.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

Blue Line – Wardlow stop. Walk west on Wardlow Rd. (toward 710 Fwy). Just before bridge over river, cut south into residential area (along W. 34^th St.) to entrance to levee bikepath. (15 min. walk from station)

Description: Wide concrete river channel with vegetated sandbars. Access points along bikepath above east side of channel. Major shorebird migration (peaks in August/Sept.). Usually not too hot, even at midday.

Target species: 20+ spp. possible in early fall (Aug. and Sept.), including Baird’s and Pectoral sandpipers, Ruff, Wilson’s and Red-necked Phalarope. Area south of Willow St. very good for (exotic) Nutmeg Mannikin and Orange Bishop. Recent rarities incl. Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Reddish Egret.

Harbor Park/Palos Verdes Peninsula

Harbor Park

Take 110 Fwy. south to Pacific Coast Hwy. (20 mi.)

Turn right on Pacific Coast Hwy. (PCH). to Vermont Ave. (1 mi.)

Turn left on Vermont and left into 2^nd parking lot (1/4 mi.)

PV Peninsula

Continue west on PCH to Western Ave., and south to 25^th St. Right on 25^th to entrance to “Ocean Trails Golf Course” on left. Take driveway to end and park near restrooms. Walk trails down to bluff top.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (to Harbor Park):

Blue Line – Pacific Coast Hwy. stop. Take cab west along PCH to Vermont Ave., and then south on Vermont to 2^nd parking lot on left. (15 min. cab ride from station)

Description: Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park (or “Harbor Park”) is the last natural lake in Los Angeles Basin, with remnant willow riparian forest and cattail marsh; PV Peninsula has native remnant coastal scrub.

Target species: Tricolored Blackbird (walking around lawn) in late fall/winter, Least Bittern, Eared Grebe, migrant passerines; herons and egrets, waterfowl. California Gnatcatcher may be found in remnant coastal sage scrub on the nearby Palos Verdes Peninsula (15 min. drive). Black-vented Shearwaters often congregate just offshore, visible from overlook end of Western Ave.

EAST

Whittier Narrows Recreation Area/Legg Lake

Take 110 Fwy. south to I-10 (“San Bernardino”) (1 mi.)

Go east on I-10 to 60 “Pomona” Fwy. (2 mi.)

Take 60 Fwy. east to Rosemead Ave. (10 mi.)

Turn south on Rosemead to Legg Lake (on left)

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

Metrolink train (from Union Station) – El Monte stop (take “San Bernardino” Line). Many trains on weekdays and Saturday leaving at 6 am and 9 am; fewer on Sunday, holidays. Take cab south on Santa Anita Ave. to Legg Lake (10 min.). Note: last train back to L.A. @ 6 pm on Sunday, c. 8 pm otherwise

Description: There are several birding spots in this area, and a map is very helpful to navigate the many roads and entrances. This area, formerly a large hay-growing region of swampy ground and farms, has been radically altered, but is still a major magnet for birds. Over 100 spp. easy in migration and winter.

Legg Lake – south (left on Durfee ½ mi. and left into parking lot)

Legg Lake – north (left on Durfee, then left on Santa Anita Ave. to parking lot on left)

Whittier Narrows Nature Center (left on Durfee, right into driveway ¼ mi. past Santa Anita Ave.;

Bosque del Rio Hondo Park (right on Durfee/San Gabriel and quick right into parking lot).

Target species: American White Pelican, Clark’s Grebe, Violet-green Swallow, Cassin’s Kingbirds, Townsend’s Warbler (pines), Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (Legg Lake – south parking lot). Herons and egrets nest and roost on islands in Legg Lake.

San Gabriel Valley Parrot Roost

Take 110 Fwy. south to I-10 “San Bernardino”(1 mi.)

Take I-10 east to Baldwin Ave. (12 mi.)

Take Baldwin north (toward mountains) to Daines Dr. (3 mi.)

Turn right and start listening

(Daines is between Lower Azusa Blvd. and Live Oak Ave.)

EXPECT VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC ON WEEKDAYS (allow 1 hr. from L.A.)

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

Metrolink train (inside Union Station) – El Monte stop (take “San Bernardino” Line). Many trains on weekdays and Saturday, fewer on Sunday. Take cab north on Santa Anita to Daines, turn left (10 min.). Note: last train back to L.A. @ 6 pm on Sunday, c. 8 pm otherwise.

Description: Residential area with very large mixed parrot roost (feral birds, now breeding in the “wild”). This roost is best in the afternoon, after 3 pm.

Target species: Red-crowned, Lilac-crowned, Red-lored and Yellow-headed Parrots, Mitred and Red-masked Parakeets, etc.