Wildlife Sanctuary Easy to Find, Enjoy

Few wildlife habitats are as easy to find or hike through as the one at Whittier Narrows.

Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Whittier Narrows nature center and wildlife sanctuary is at 1000 N. Durfee Ave., near the interchange of the San Gabriel River and Pomona freeways.

Hiking through the 277-acre sanctuary is relatively easy, even for those who rarely venture beyond the front yard. The terrain is gentle, with two miles of well-defined trails that can be entered at the nature center or by special arrangement through one of several chained gates along Durfee. Check with the ranger at the nature center for keys and parking permits for the Durfee gate entrances.

The Los Angeles Audubon Society conducts walks from the nature center, generally the third weekend of the month, alternating Saturdays and Sundays. For specific dates, check the group’s recorded message, changed Thursdays, at (213) 874-1318.

Four lakes in the sanctuary attract many species of waterfowl between October and March. Spring and fall migrations bring warblers and vieros. Summer residents include orioles and the black-headed grosbeak. Bell’s vireo, a rare bird, has also been sighted in the sanctuary. The best time for bird watching is early morning or late afternoon.

If heat is a problem, avoid hiking through the area at midday in the summer. Daytime temperatures often reach the upper 80s and 90s, although cool breezes off the lakes deliver some relief.

At the nature center, there are several wildlife exhibits and a gift shop with maps and information about the Whittier Narrows area.

The center’s support group also conducts special tours for schoolchildren throughout the year. Classes to train volunteers to lead tours begin in mid-September.

For more information about sanctuary or its support group, call (818) 444-1872.