Lake to Be Big Splash for Birds

A new landing strip has been opened to handle traffic in the busy airways over Los Angeles, but this one is strictly for the birds.

The “airport” is a 1 1/2-acre lake at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, complete with overnight and nesting facilities for migratory birds and their less-traveled cousins.

The planting of seeds for grasses and native wildflowers was completed Monday, marking the finishing touches on the $350,000 project.

Creation of the lake and bird sanctuary is the first phase in a plan to upgrade and expand the gardens, located on the former estate of newspaper publisher E. Manchester Boddy and famous for its camellias, roses and native plants.

The lake, featuring a 25-foot waterfall that is using recirculated water, has nesting islands and marshes expected to attract a variety of migrating birds and water fowl.

Construction of the lake and waterfall, which pumps 350 gallons a minute, took nine months.

The work was largely funded by Descanso Gardens Guild, a volunteer support group, along with a $70,000 county grant. The San Fernando Valley Audubon Society also contributed time and money to the project.

Bill Beggs, 78, a retired engineer-contractor and avid bird-watcher, conceived the sanctuary idea eight years ago.

“We had to strike a careful balance so that people could see the birds, but also protect the nesting areas,” said Beggs, who served as the volunteer manager of the project.