The day starts cool, then warms into the 70’s.
Paths & grass possibly damp from dew or sprinklers.
Wear appropriate footwear.

Reservation: Not necessary
Masking/Covid Requirements: None. Wear a mask if you wish, but trails are wide and uncrowded.
Weather: NWS predicts 59 > 78°F, wind 0mph, sky cover 14%. Dress in layers.
Link to: 2025 Sepulveda report

Located only 15 minutes from Santa Monica, Chuck Almdale will show us around one of San Fernando Valley’s best birding spots, where – unless it’s become a giant lake from any recent & unexpected rainfall – we’ll check the fields, pond, riparian areas and perhaps Los Angeles River for migrants and wintering birds. Neotropic Cormorants are frequently seen around the ponds and river. Time & conditions permitting, we might go to Lake Balboa for the Dusky-capped Flycatcher if it’s around.

Expect ducks, grebes, raptors, herons, cormorants, hummingbirds, doves, kingfishers, woodpeckers, thrushes, flycatchers, swallows, corvids, kinglets, warblers, sparrows, blackbirds, turtles, perhaps a coot or two and possibly cricketeers. The whole kit and the caboodle to boot!

Family Guide: 1-2 miles easy walking on level crushed granite path, sometimes clay or grass. Dress in layers, bring water & snack, wear footwear suitable for possibly damp paths.

Link to Google Map

Directions:  SAN DIEGO FWY (I-405) north over the mighty range of Santa Monica Mountains (aka “the hill”) and past the #101 Fwy to first exit at BURBANK BLVD. Go west (left) to WOODLEY AVE. Turn north (right) on WOODLEY AVE. continue 1/2 mile to the south entrance on right) or another 1/10 mile to the middle entrance for the WILDLIFE RESERVE AREA. One or the other or both of these two entrances are always open. Drive east, continuing past the cricket pitches and the small traffic circle and meet at the very last parking lot on the left (blue marker by amphitheater on Google map above). Bathrooms nearby.
Arrive early and find the Parakeets, Western Bluebirds, Dark-eyed Juncos, Chipping Sparrows, Pine Siskins and the ever-elusive Delirious Whatnots for the rest of us! We then walk south into the wildlife reserve, just in case you arrive late.
Meet at 8 a.m. at the parking lot
Leader: Chuck Almdale email: misclists@verizon.net