I know that all of us at the Village Green have felt the trauma of the wildfire disaster here in Los Angeles. This was not the way any of us would have thought 2025 was going to start! But l wanted to highlight the love that many have shown towards our fellow Angelenos during this difficult time.

In conversations with neighbors, I have learned of many selfless acts – from opening up their homes to displaced people, families and animals, to volunteering at pop up clothing and food drives, to donations of money and support, or just acknowledging the trauma of those experiencing the loss of everything with a kind word or a hug.

​In this time of need many of you have shown up in myriad ways and I just wanted to give a shout out to all of those who are helping out during a very challenging  time. All gestures, both large and small, matter. I am humbled by how much our community cares, as I have directly experienced. So, to all Village Greeners, stay strong and keep up the amazing work!

Categories: Board of Directors, Community Contributions

Our overwintering feathered friends of Village Green 

Village Green has long been a haven for migratory birds, attracting warblers, raptors, and other species, much to the delight of birdwatchers. Here’s what to look for this winter season.
 
GREAT HORNED OWLS
As nights grow longer, Great Horned Owls become more active. These owls reuse nests from ravens or hawks. After a windstorm destroyed last year’s nest, this season’s may be in a nearby eucalyptus tree. Males perform dramatic wingbeats, vocalize, and defend their territory while courting females. By spring, their young develop hunting skills, preying on other animals’ springtime offspring.
 
MIGRATORY SONGBIRDS AND PREDATORS
Orange-crowned Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and Cedar Waxwings—known for their berry-filled antics and high-pitched calls—are arriving en masse. Their predators follow:

• Merlins, tiny falcons famed for speed and power, hunt in open spaces but are rare here due to limited flight opportunities.
• Sharp-shinned Hawks, specialists of dense vegetation, are uncommon because Coopers Hawks, their predators, dominate VG’s habitats.

 
ICONIC RED-CROWNED PARROTS
Our Red-crowned Parrots, some as old as 70, form strong social bonds. During warmer months, family units separate to raise young outside VG, but winter reunites the flocks. These bonds, forming here among young parrots, mirror our own children’s friendships.
And just look how social they are! One morning early this month the Green was visited by hundreds and hundreds of birds, cackling wildly and flying in pairs, feeding in the trees for half a day before they flew off.
 
*name has been changed at the request of the author.