Playa del Rey : Ballona Wetlands Walk

Biologists from the environmental group Friends of Ballona Wetlands will hold their first wetlands walk of the fall season Sunday.

The free guided walk features an introduction to the plants, fish and migratory birds that frequent the wetland area between Marina del Rey and the Westchester Bluffs.

Nearly 200 species of birds, including great blue herons and snowy egrets, visit the wetlands sometime during the year. Several endangered species, including the California least tern and Belding’s savannah sparrow, have called the wetlands home. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons also have been sighted in the area.

Plans for restoration of the degraded wetlands will also be on display. About 260 acres of the marshy area south of Ballona Creek and west of Lincoln Boulevard is to be restored under terms of an agreement between the environmental group and Maguire Thomas Partners, developer of the massive Playa Vista project planned for the adjoining land.

People interested in joining the wetlands walk can meet at the Ballona Creek Bridge on the north end of Pacific Avenue in Playa del Rey. Groups will leave at 15-minute intervals from 9 to 11 a.m. The walk takes about an hour.

For more information, call (213) 821-7695.