Spot Hawks, Towhees and Phoebes on a Baldwin Hills Bird Walk

Los Angeles Audubon leads this walk through the Baldwin Hills on Sunday, November 8, with Ann and Eric Brooks. The route crosses parkland, a man-made lake, an artificial creek and restored coastal sage scrub. The listing points to three groups of residents to watch for: Red-tailed, Red-shouldered and Cooper's hawks, California and Spotted towhees in the scrub, and Black Phoebes near the water.

The group moves at a birding pace, stopping whenever someone hears a call or sees movement in the scrub. Binoculars are provided on this walk, and the leaders point out field marks, behavior and the habitat each bird uses. It is built for beginner and intermediate birders, and the leaders explain how to tell similar species apart as birds appear. Expect long pauses at the lake edge and slower stretches along the scrub paths over about four hours.

Enter Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area at 4100 South La Cienega Boulevard, off La Cienega between Rodeo Road and Stocker Street. The meeting spot is not posted in advance, so ask at the entrance kiosk where the group meets that day. The walk runs from 8 AM to noon. LA Audubon's listing names no walk fee, only a vehicle parking fee paid at the kiosk. Its bird-walk page says walks need no advance sign-up and suit birders 6 and older, with no pets or small children.