Wing Stop

Birding at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve

The best birding in LA is in Van Nuys? Arguably, yes. The minute you step into the forest of cottonwoods and weeping willows between Haskell Creek and Wildlife Lake, you wonder how this can possibly be the San Fernando Valley—especially when you spot a snowy egret stalking a shoreline, white pelicans patrolling the lake, double-crested cormorants air-drying their wings, or a great blue heron nabbing a fish from the lake. All in a day’s stroll in the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve.

The reserve’s interconnected trail system can provide hours of exploration, but for the best bird-watching, stick near the lake. Wildlife viewing stations provide benches where you can sit and keep your eyes open for some of the 200 bird species that have been spotted here. The Sepulveda Basin Bird Checklist can help you chart your findings. You’re sure to see and hear dozens of species. Common sightings include Canada geese, osprey, blue grosbeak, egrets, herons, blackbirds, sparrows, and feral parakeets. If you see a strange-looking brownish goose, it’s an Egyptian goose—a nonnative that has adopted the basin as home.

The path is an easy stroll, and wood bridges across the creek are a charming addition. Bird-watchers need not go any farther than the end of the lake, but if you want to make a hike of it, complete the entire 2.5-mile loop zigzagging throughout the reserve. Pack up some snacks and cold drinks, grab your binoculars, and spend a day birding—remarkably, in the wilds of Van Nuys!

From the San Diego Freeway (I-405) in Van Nuys, take the Burbank Blvd. exit, go east on Burbank about a half-mile, and then north on Woodley Ave. for another half-mile to Wildlife Way. Turn right, then bear right at the fork and proceed to the Wildlife Reserve parking lot. Admission and parking are free. No dogs. The San Fernando Audubon Society sponsors a guided bird walk in the reserve the first Sunday of every month. Check the reserve website for details.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Screaming Good Garden

    Combine a classic scary movie backdrop and life-size elephant garden sculptures in beautiful downtown Sonoma.

    View
  3. A Hike to the Past

    This 5.2-mile redwoods hike through El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space combines a relaxing stroll with unique geologic formations and historical artifacts.

    View
  4. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax. See Naga, the recent new addition here, an impressive sea serpent art installation at Golden Gate Park's Rainbow

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Chase Fall Colors & Family Fun in Reno Tahoe

    Ready to Reno? We’re so with you! Reno Tahoe is the ultimate urban basecamp for gathering family and friends for all kinds of fall fun and festivities.

    View
  2. Welcome to the Ice Age

    Only in LA can you stumble upon a lake of bubbling black goo right in the middle of the city—complete with a life-size family of mammoths frozen in time. Take a whiff and you’ll catch the unmistakable scent of asphalt: Yep, you’ve made it to the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Mulholland's Most Majestic

    Take a leisurely drive along Mulholland Drive to discover beautiful urban scenery and unexpected wild beauty, right in the middle of the city. 

    View