Animals are often overlooked in Los Angeles’ daily hustle. However, even in the winter months, natural life surrounds us. From the common dolphins and butterflies cruising along the coast to a diverse array of migratory birds gracing the skies – Los Angeles’ cold-weather wildlife can be easily observed by those who know where to look. That’s why we’re here to give you the rundown on how to observe LA’s winter wildlife.


Monarch Migrations

One particularly flashy seasonal traveler stopping by LA on its way south is the monarch butterfly. Known for their brilliant orange stained-glass wings, monarch butterflies can be seen in many of the city’s natural spaces between the months of October and February. A monarch’s favorite food is a thin-leafed flowering plant known as milkweed – so if you’re on the hunt for butterflies, be sure to check out locations where this California native is abundant. Or, for the green-thumbs among us, you can always host some milkweed in your yard to try and bring the butterflies to you. 


Bird Watching in the Urban Jungle

Birdwatching is a great way to bask in the presence of the natural world. Winter, in particular, is a great time to do so in the City of Los Angeles – the colder months bring a flurry of avian activity to the skies as migratory birds flock south to our city in search of a warmer winter. Birding during this season is particularly exciting as one can find species not found in the other seasons of the year. Take a look at this list of migratory birds you can expect to see this Winter. 

Moreover, there are plenty of great places to go birdwatching in LA. Our city boasts a variety of parks and natural reserves where bird enthusiasts can marvel at the diverse avian population. Public parks provide a key sanctuary for birds within our city and some, like the Audubon Center at Debs Park, provide resources for residents looking to begin their foray into the world of birdwatching.


Friendly Neighborhood Barn Owls

If you look up in the night, you might just find barn owls gliding silently through the air. These owls, with their long legs, flat faces, and dark eyes, have quite the eerie appearance that photos don’t quite do justice. If you want to see one for yourself, all you have to do is look around the neighborhoods of LA – where these nocturnal birds are becoming increasingly common thanks to the Barn Owl Nesting Box Program.

This initiative, backed by the nonprofit Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife (CLAW) works to assemble and place “owl boxes” throughout residential LA. These large wooden boxes reintroduce a resource vital for native barn owls – nesting sites. The Nesting Box Program isn’t just good for the barn owls – it’s good for us. Barn owls prey on the rodents which try to squirm their way into our homes and help us reduce the need for harmful extermination options such as chemical rodenticides. For the concerned pet owners out there, you should know that barn owls only eat very small prey such as very small rodents like gophers or larger bugs like grasshoppers – your pet is much too large for these feathered friends. As communities embrace poison-free practices and continue installing nesting boxes, it becomes more and more likely that future generations of owls will return to roost, further restoring natural life to LA’s night sky.

Los Angeles is more than just an urban expanse. Beyond the concrete and skyscrapers, there’s a delicate balance between urban development and natural habitats. In the coming winter days, we hope you’ll keep our wild friends in mind and be inspired to appreciate and help safeguard the delicate harmony between urbanity and nature in the heart of Los Angeles.

Do you have a favorite locale to go to when you want to immerse yourself in nature? Share it with us at lastormwater@lacity.org and your story might just get featured on our blog or social media!