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Raptors

Learn more about raptors at the Golden Gate Raptors Observatory.

 

bird watching
Park E-Ventures Article

GGRO at 30: A Bird’s-Eye View of Its Successes

The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory turns 30 this fall. With the GGRO at a stage of maturity and reflection, Director Allen Fish tells the tale of the people who founded this pioneering citizen science program. Also, discover its many volunteer-driven accomplishments—and inventions!
Hawk watch
Park E-Ventures Article

Wing-Wing Proposition: See Raptors, Advance Science as a GGRO Volunteer

Bay Area residents are mighty lucky to be surrounded by parklands and encounter wildlife in our own backyards. But, instead of spotting the occasional raptor, what if you could see all sorts of birds of prey? Here’s your rare chance to identify, count, and band raptors in the Marin Headlands.
Red-tailed Hawk
Park E-Ventures Article

Big Bird, Little Bird: Size and Identifying Sex of Raptors

As a nature lover hiking through the Marin Headlands, you might be able to quickly identify a couple of raptors flying overhead. At first glance, you also might discern their relative sizes. But what does that tell you about the sex of the raptors?
GSM transmitters at GGRO
Park E-Ventures Article

Fresh Tracks: GGRO Continues Innovative Raptor Monitoring

In addition to our annual hawkwatch, banding, and radiotelemetry programs, the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory has launched several new research projects to further understand raptor movements and health. Read on to discover how you can help!
Students search for migrating raptors
Park E-Ventures Article

Rapturous Raptors: Insider Tips on Watching the Fall Migration

Every autumn, up to 19 species of birds of prey make their annual appearance over the Marin Headlands. With tens of thousands of raptors counted during the fall migration, it’s the largest flight of its kind in the western U.S.! Read on for hawk-watching tips from our Golden Gate Raptor...
snowy egret
Park E-Ventures Article

The Origins of Feathers

Feathers are a uniquely avian adaptation—or are they? While feathers can only be seen on birds today, evidence has shown that many dinosaurs also had feathers. Read on to learn about the variety—and possible purposes—of dinosaur feathers.
Northern Harrier
Park E-Ventures Article

The Elusive, Mystifying Northern Harrier

Follow the trials and triumphs of a Golden Gate Raptor Observatory intern, as told through several encounters with a particularly mysterious species of raptor—the Northern Harrier.
Red-tailed Hawk
Park E-Ventures Article

A Hawkwatcher’s View of the New Hawk Hill

A year ago, Monterey pines and Monterey cypresses were removed from Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands to restore endangered mission blue butterfly habitat. How did this affect the birds during fall migration?
turkey
Park E-Ventures Article

Family Dinner: Holiday Foods' Park Relatives

At your next holiday feast, impress friends and family with some fresh knowledge. Read on to learn the origins of popular holiday foods and discover their closest relatives, found in our parks. Please don’t forage for these items (quite a few are inedible)—but fill your plate with some food for...
hawks flying over the Golden Gate Bridge in the fog
Park E-Ventures Article

Broadwing Bonanza on Hawk Hill

On September 27, 2012, on Hawk Hill, we counted 295 Broad-winged Hawk sightings, 10 times our previous one-day count for that species. We even exceeded our season-total record—248 sightings—in just that one day. Aside from these impressive numbers, why is this exciting?