Science Event Pick: Golden Gate Raptor Observatory’s 25th Anniversary
Every fall, 30,000 raptors and hawks migrate across the Bay Area in a fantastic display.Every fall, 30,000 raptors and hawks migrate across the Bay Area in a fantastic display. Most stop for a quick snack in the Marin Headlands before moving on to their winter homes. Bay Area scientists and volunteers have been using the opportunity to conduct counts, as raptors have long been seen as indicators for ecosystem health. The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, now a program of the Golden Gate Parks Conservancy, was set up 25 years ago as the first bird monitoring system in California. Anyone that visits “Hawk Hill” during this time can attest to mass migration; Upwards of 1000 birds are seen per day during the peak. To my amazement, the observatory is almost fully run by volunteers; there are only 3 full time employees compared to over 300 volunteers. Clearly, this is one of the most successful citizen science projects in the Bay Area.
In celebration of the 25th anniversary, there are a number of interactive events and talks scheduled over the next month.
Where: Hawk Hill
When: Sat 9/12, Sun 9/13, Sat 9/19, Sun 9/20, Sat 9/26 12 Noon – 2 PM
Cost: Free
Details: At these Hawk Talks, a GGRO volunteer gives an hour-long talk about hawk monitoring, migration, and identification using photos and other props. Then at 1 PM a newly banded wild hawk is shown to the crowd, a volunteer talks about GGRO's banding program, and the hawk is released.
GGRO Open House and Raptor Fest!
Where: Ft Cronkhite at Rodeo Beach
When: October 24th and 25th, 10 AM-4 PM
Cost: Free
Details: Scientific Displays, Radiotelemetry Demonstrations, Live Non-releasable Raptors, Kid Crafts, GGRO 25th Anniversary Product Sales, Visits to Hawk Hill, Banding Demonstrations, and Raptor Art. On Sunday only – Speakers from UC Davis, SF State University, UC Berkeley presenting results of their research with GGRO.
Celebrate Raptors—A Series of Raptor Biology Talks
Satellite-Tracking Peregrines throughout the Americas
Where: San Francisco Zoo
When: Thursday, September 10th 7-9 PM
Cost: $3-$5 suggested donation
Falconiformes Discovery: Field, Lab, and Conservation
Where: California Academy of Science’s Nightlife
When: Thursday, October 15th 7-9 PM
Cost: $12
Eagle Quest: To See All the World’s Eagles
Where: Mission Blue Chapel, Cavallo Point
When: Wednesday, November 18h 7-9 PM
Cost: $3-$5 suggested donation
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