The raptor migration season is winding down at the Golden Gate, but we’ve had some great runs of Redtails and other buteos, and even eagles these past few weeks. We still may see some interesting raptors though the winter - here are two GGNRA locales to help satiate your hawk hunger:
Rodeo Lagoon and its surrounding uplands are great walkable areas to see Red-shouldered Hawks, Northern Harriers, White-tailed Kites, and American Kestrels. Red-tailed Hawks regularly hunt mice in the grasslands, and Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks dart through the willows looking for bird-prey. Watch for Turkey Vultures and even Peregrine Falcons near the beach. Don't forget to check out the Marin Headlands Visitor Center for your holiday gift needs!
Crissy Field Tidal Marsh is a great raptor-watching destination with Red-tailed and Red-shouldered hawks making flybys, and the chance to see big falcons (Peregrines) and little falcons (American Kestrels and Merlins). Come out early or late in the day and walk through estuary watching for raptors. Afterward, walk up the beach to the Warming Hut and grab an espresso to cut the chilly breeze of the Golden Gate.
This juvenile Bald Eagle (note white wingpits) was seen from Hawk Hill on November 29, 2009. Photos by Ken Wilson.
Thanks for following the GGRO’s activities! Have great winter birds, and feel free to send comments to us at ggro@parksconservancy.org.
The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory celebrated its 25th anniversary this season. Our dedicated volunteers have counted over 500,000 hawks and banded over 30,000 during that time! Don't miss your chance to get the GGRO's commemorative t-shirt featuring a stunning design of a male American Kestrel by our own volunteer designer Lynn Bantley. Also available are a khaki, old-fashioned baseball style cap, a stainless steel water bottle, or GGRO pin, all with the 25th Anniversary logo.
All items are on sale through the end of the year and can be found at the
Marin Headlands Visitor Center.
Or click here to order your GGRO items online today.
THANK YOU to all who came out to Raptor Fest! We hope you had fun and learned a few things about the GGRO and raptor conservation.
We are also very grateful to Native Bird Connections for bringing their beautiful live raptors and informative displays to share with us at Raptor Fest. Native Bird Connections is a local non-profit group that works with live wild birds while sharing educational messages with groups of all ages. For more information, or to schedule a program for your group, please visit the Native Bird Connections website.
A big thank you also to Odwalla and to the Mendocino Brewing Company for
their generous support of Raptor Fest on our 25th Anniversary!
