North of the 101 and west of the San Diego Freeway is one of the natural wonders of Los Angeles. The Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve is comprised of two sections, North and South, at the southeast end of the Sepulveda Flood Control Basin . It is a wildlife revegetation experiment that began in 1979 with the South Reserve, sandwiched between the Los Angeles River and the Dam. The North Reserve was developed starting in 1988 and features an 11 acre lake with wildlife viewing stations and an island. The eastern part of the North section is the most developed part of the Reserve, with an amphitheater, restrooms, and a formal “park” area and a model airplane field.
Visitors to the park can hike on designated trails, picnic, and observe wildlife and vegetation. Those staying in los angeles boutique hotels can ask at the front desk for directions to the park. With over 200 species in the area, bird watching is a primary activity for nature lovers. Springtime is best, right before the cottonwood trees reach full leaf. Hummingbird Hill was built to attract that species and rare species, including the breeding blue grosbeak, can be spotted. Mammals are a bit scarcer at the Reserve, but visitors may see ground squirrels, rabbits, gophers, and possums. There are occasional sightings of coyote and racoons. Amphibians and reptiles to watch for include bull and tree frogs, turtles, garter snakes and the Western fence lizard=http://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/herps/scel-occ.html and side-blotched lizard. Amateur botanists will have fun identifying the 100 native California plants found at the Reserve as well as nearly as many non-native species that have taken root.