Saturday, January 17, 2026
7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Trip Leader: Jon Feenstra
Far from the natural beauty of the local mountains, the space and solitude of the desert, and the tranquility of the scenic coastline, right in the middle of the crushing hardscape of Los Angeles lies one of the city’s few truly urban parks, the only park within walking distance for thousands of Angelenos. However, MacArthur Park is a hotspot on par with other field trip destinations in this newsletter with a long list of rarities, and is particularly renowned among locals “gullers” as the best place in the County to observe gulls at close range. Iceland Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, and Herring Gull are regular winter visitors, as are various and mysterious hybrids that are also often present. The urban setting with close quarters and ample tossed food scraps allow for close study and hot debate. We’ll do a loop around the park then spend as much time as we can or need to sift the gulls.
Meet at the Levitt Pavilion in the northwest corner of MacArthur Park at 7:30 AM. Take public transit, or there is free parking on Wilshire Blvd and metered parking on S. Park View St. ($1/hour). If it goes quickly at MacArthur Park we may move to Echo Park Lake.
PHOTO: Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) found at MacArthur Park. Photo by Chris Spurgeon.
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Saturday, January 17, 2026
7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Trip Leader: Jon Feenstra
Far from the natural beauty of the local mountains, the space and solitude of the desert, and the tranquility of the scenic coastline, right in the middle of the crushing hardscape of Los Angeles lies one of the city’s few truly urban parks, the only park within walking distance for thousands of Angelenos. However, MacArthur Park is a hotspot on par with other field trip destinations in this newsletter with a long list of rarities, and is particularly renowned among locals “gullers” as the best place in the County to observe gulls at close range. Iceland Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, and Herring Gull are regular winter visitors, as are various and mysterious hybrids that are also often present. The urban setting with close quarters and ample tossed food scraps allow for close study and hot debate. We’ll do a loop around the park then spend as much time as we can or need to sift the gulls.
Meet at the Levitt Pavilion in the northwest corner of MacArthur Park at 7:30 AM. Take public transit, or there is free parking on Wilshire Blvd and metered parking on S. Park View St. ($1/hour). If it goes quickly at MacArthur Park we may move to Echo Park Lake.
PHOTO: Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) found at MacArthur Park. Photo by Chris Spurgeon.