An unexpected business trip to Burbank, California, turned out to be the highlight of September! This cool city, with its nearby canyons and mountains—not to mention its great food scene—also offered fantastic birding opportunities and a chance to add to my year list.
Brand Park Birding
After work, my first stop was Brand Park, a lovely neighborhood green space. Right away, I was greeted by the familiar call of a California Scrub-Jay and the unmistakable squawks of Red-crowned Parrots. Later, I learned these parrots aren’t common in the area, making the sighting even more exciting.
One flowering tree was absolutely packed with mostly Allen’s Hummingbirds. I loved the park so much that I returned two weeks later during a follow-up trip. That second visit brought even more treasures: a Townsend’s Warbler high in the treetops, a lively Bewick’s Wren, and a flock of beautiful Western Bluebirds.
Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Preserve
Saturday’s adventure took me to the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Preserve. I was fortunate to meet a fellow birder who generously helped identify some western species. In just an hour and a half, we tallied 41 species!
The highlight was spotting a pair of Ross’s Geese flying past the dam. The preserve’s mix of open water, woodlands, and scrub produced an impressive variety of birds: ducks, shorebirds, passerines, and raptors. Some western specialties were new for my year list, including Bushtit, Lesser Goldfinch, and Nuttall’s Woodpecker.
Even after leaving, the trip kept giving—when a recording I took of a singing bird was later identified as a “Least” Bell’s Vireo!
Burbank Trip #2
Two weeks later, we both made the trek back to Burbank.
Our first stop was Porto’s Bakery, where cakes topped with a single, elegant rose are a must-try. Pastries in hand, we headed to Betty Davis Park, where we enjoyed sightings of Black Phoebe, Acorn Woodpecker, and Anna’s Hummingbird.
While I was at work, Mike set out exploring. At Griffith Park, he hiked the Toyon Trail and found a trio of California classics: California Towhee, California Thrasher, and another California Scrub-Jay. The trail, perched on a steep ridge, also offered fantastic views of Los Angeles. Later, a trip northwest to O’Melveny Park and Aliso Canyon added several new birds to the list: Wood Duck, California Quail, Oak Titmouse, Wrentit, Cassin’s Kingbird, and another Nuttall’s Woodpecker.
Later, a trip northwest to O’Melveny Park and Aliso Canyon added several new birds to the list: Wood Duck, California Quail, Oak Titmouse, Wrentit, Cassin’s Kingbird, and another Nuttall’s Woodpecker.
Among the dry oak woodlands and sage scrub, signs of fire risk were everywhere. It was reassuring to see strict park rules banning smoking and open flames to protect these fragile habitats. As a bonus, we also spotted a playful Fox Squirrel darting through the trees.
A Coastal Weekend with Ventura Audubon
We always recommend checking local Audubon chapters for bird walks, and this time it led us to Ventura Audubon’s coastal outing at Surfer’s Knoll. In just two hours, our group spotted 41 species, including highlights like Red-necked Phalarope, Elegant Tern, Surfbird, and Wandering Tattler. We highly recommend taking the time to walk from the wetlands all the way to the rock jetty to get the best variety of birds.
Afterward, we enjoyed a fantastic lunch of Angel Shark at Andria’s Seafood, followed by quick stops at the Ventura Settling Ponds and Malibu Creek State Park. The park has numerous trails, including one to the original M*A*S*H filming site and popular swimming holes. Although the midday heat made the park quiet, we still managed to add a Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Band-tailed Pigeons to our list.
But the real gem was Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean, the wetlands and shoreline offer incredible birding. In just 90 minutes, we spotted 32 species, including “Western” Snowy Plover, Whimbrel, Red-necked Phalarope, and Heermann’s Gull. Seeing hundreds of shorebirds together is always a spectacular sight.
A Successful Trip Comes to a Close
Our whirlwind Burbank adventures wrapped up with new birds, new friends, and a new business partnership off to a strong start.
Trip Birds: 84
Year Birds: 27
Life Birds: 0
Next Up: Southern California
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