The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory ( GGRO ) is a long-term program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in cooperation with the National Park Service. The GGRO's mission is to study migrating birds of prey along the Pacific coast and to inspire the preservation of raptor populations in California. Established in 1985, it is located in the Marin Headlands , just north of San Francisco, California . The Raptor Observatory operates under the philosophy that incorporating citizens into the process of gathering scientific data will deepen long-term conservation results. Consequently, the organization's small staff is supported by the work of 280+ highly trained volunteers, coming from all different disciplines. The GGRO publishes an annual report, contributes annual results to national databases, and collaborates on various research projects with local universities.
14-688: The GGRO programs center around Hawk Hill , one of the highest points (940 feet elevation) immediately above the Golden Gate on the north sides, in Marin County. This publicly accessible site, a center-point of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area , offers visitors a spectacular vista of the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as the best view of the autumn hawk migration. While moving toward
28-707: A day may be counted overhead. The Golden Gate migration is primarily one of diurnal raptors— hawks , kites , falcons , eagles , vultures , osprey , and harriers —with an average of nineteen raptor species appearing annually. In addition, a small range of non-raptorial migrants appear over the Marin Headlands in the autumn; this includes three species of swift , six species of swallow , and band-tailed pigeons , among dozens of avian species. (2003–2014) 37°49′57″N 122°32′16″W / 37.8326°N 122.5377°W / 37.8326; -122.5377 Hawk Hill, California Hawk Hill
42-578: A short (0.15 mile), but steep route or take a longer (0.25 mile), less steep path to reach the summit of Hawk Hill. The GGRO has three ways of monitoring the fall migration of raptors: hawk counting (Hawkwatch), hawk banding , and radio-tracking (Telemetry) . GGRO offers free public programs every Saturday and Sunday at noon in September and October, peak migration season (weather permitting: rain or fog cancels). The Hawk Talk begins at noon—a GGRO educator speaks about hawk migration and identification, and
56-669: Is a 923-foot (281 m) peak in the Marin Headlands , just north of the Golden Gate Bridge and across the Golden Gate strait from San Francisco, California . The hill is within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area . It is the lookout point for the largest known flight of diurnal raptors in the Pacific states. Each autumn, from August into December, tens of thousands of hawks , kites , falcons , eagles , vultures , osprey , and harriers are funneled by
70-639: Is a long-term program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in cooperation with the National Park Service. The GGRO's mission is to study migrating birds of prey along the Pacific coast and to inspire the preservation of raptor populations in California. Established in 1985, it is located in the Marin Headlands , just north of San Francisco, California . The Raptor Observatory operates under
84-578: Is available at the base of Hawk Hill. Visitors can walk a short (0.15 mile), but steep route or take a longer (0.25 mile), less steep path to reach the summit of Hawk Hill. The GGRO has three ways of monitoring the fall migration of raptors: hawk counting (Hawkwatch), hawk banding , and radio-tracking (Telemetry) . GGRO offers free public programs every Saturday and Sunday at noon in September and October, peak migration season (weather permitting: rain or fog cancels). The Hawk Talk begins at noon—a GGRO educator speaks about hawk migration and identification, and
98-617: The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory count and track this fall migration using bird-banding and radio-tracking techniques , all in cooperation with the National Park Service . The following table lists the annual average number of sightings by the GGRO in the Marin Headlands during autumn, for the years 2001–2009. Golden Gate Raptor Observatory The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory ( GGRO )
112-493: The "front" of migrating raptors is squeezed by San Francisco Bay on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. A preference for flying over land keeps many hawks from readily flying over open water. Consequently, many raptors end up flying over Hawk Hill as they negotiate the two-mile gap to San Francisco, creating a raptor migration thoroughfare. Limited parking is available at the base of Hawk Hill. Visitors can walk
126-536: The Marin peninsula's southern tip in the Headlands, the "front" of migrating raptors is squeezed by San Francisco Bay on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. A preference for flying over land keeps many hawks from readily flying over open water. Consequently, many raptors end up flying over Hawk Hill as they negotiate the two-mile gap to San Francisco, creating a raptor migration thoroughfare. Limited parking
140-402: The highest points (940 feet elevation) immediately above the Golden Gate on the north sides, in Marin County. This publicly accessible site, a center-point of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area , offers visitors a spectacular vista of the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as the best view of the autumn hawk migration. While moving toward the Marin peninsula's southern tip in the Headlands,
154-468: The long-term raptor monitoring at the GGRO. Then midway through, a banding volunteer brings up a newly banded hawk, talks about the banding program, shows everyone the hawk, and lets it go in front of the crowd. It is a great way to learn about hawks and see one up close. To track the fall migration , the GGRO starts its programs annually in mid-August and ends them mid-December. At the migration's peak in late September/early October, as many as 1,000 raptors
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#1732781071515168-468: The long-term raptor monitoring at the GGRO. Then midway through, a banding volunteer brings up a newly banded hawk, talks about the banding program, shows everyone the hawk, and lets it go in front of the crowd. It is a great way to learn about hawks and see one up close. To track the fall migration , the GGRO starts its programs annually in mid-August and ends them mid-December. At the migration's peak in late September/early October, as many as 1,000 raptors
182-560: The peninsular shape of Marin County into the headlands. Hawks avoid flight over water since warm thermals that provide lift are rare. Abundant populations of small mammals protected by the park are one resource that helps maintain the large number of visiting raptors in the Headlands during the fall, but the strong onshore winds hitting the hills of the Headlands provide cold updrafts and hot late summer days provide warm thermals that allow these birds to fly more efficiently. Volunteers with
196-490: The philosophy that incorporating citizens into the process of gathering scientific data will deepen long-term conservation results. Consequently, the organization's small staff is supported by the work of 280+ highly trained volunteers, coming from all different disciplines. The GGRO publishes an annual report, contributes annual results to national databases, and collaborates on various research projects with local universities. The GGRO programs center around Hawk Hill , one of
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