Date: 11/9/25 10:37 am From: Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> Subject: Re: [LACoBirds] RED-THROATED PIPIT, Toyon Landfill Griffith Park
copying and pasting parking and walking directions (from a few years ago when the Sedge Wren was up there):
Here is a map that hopefully helps (flickr link below). There are 2 ways up to the Landfill. Park at Mineral Wells - most spots are gone by 7am so you should expect to park on Griffith Park Dr after 7am.
Take the pink route out of Mineral Wells. Then you have a choice:
* Pink route up the paved road (affectionately known as the Death March by those who bird up here occasionally) that goes straight up. Very steep and allow plenty of breaks.
* Blue route which is a dirt trail that goes up to the Compost Facility and then winds up the northern side. This is gentler (and usually birdier) although further in distance.
Once you get to the top, you have to walk up a short slope to get to the top field. Go under or over the large PVC pipes (these carry methane and can be very smelly) and walk across to the wren spot again avoiding stepping on the white pipes. The habitat is stubble and long grass with plenty of burrs. I would not recommend open toe sandals etc.
Also note at the very top of the map a red line. This denotes that the road has recently closed to thru traffic eg you cannot get to Mineral Wells along Griffith Park Dr from the left side of the map. The red dot I believe marks the burr patch (but go with Naresh's GPS if it looks like my dot doesn't perfectly match). There is a lot of habitat up there but the wren stayed in the same patch all day.
On Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 09:48:05 AM PST, Andrew Birch via groups.io <andyrbirch...> wrote:
Parking at Mineral Wells and take the very steep paved road to the top. Bird on show here amongst small group of Americans.
34.14288° N, 118.30153° W
Also LAPLAND LONGSPUR here amongst Meadowlarks and at least 2 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS.
As a reminder, this is a weekend only spot.
Best, Andy Birch
Los Feliz
