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Volunteer performing telemetry (Jim Shea)

GGRO

The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO) is a program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in cooperation with the National Park Service.

The GGRO's mission is to inspire the preservation of California raptor populations. The GGRO was formed in the early 1980s to track the Golden Gate migration, an annual flight of tens of thousands of hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures—birds collectively called "raptors."

New Hawkwatchers and Banders Needed for 2010!

Please see our volunteer page for details! Or download a flyer announcing recruitment meetings at the bottom of this page.

Migration Study Internships 2010

Four interns needed for summer and fall 2010 (July 7, 2010 through December 31, 2010, ending date flexible) to help coordinate volunteer raptor migration studies at the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, near San Francisco, CA.

Four intern positions are available for the 2010 season for enthusiastic recent graduates or seniors in biological science or related field. Experience in banding, handling, identifying, and radio-tracking raptors is preferred but not required. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential. Computer skills are helpful. Creative energy for dealing with fog is a plus. Field duties include: identifying and counting raptors; trapping and banding raptors; tending captive lure bird colony; and tracking radio-tagged hawks. Field days are long and can be strenuous; applicants should be in good physical condition. Office duties include data entry, response to public inquiries, and interaction with volunteers. Some teaching is required. Housing is provided within walking distance of the office in a dormitory setting (single rooms, shared bath and kitchen). A vehicle is strongly recommended for access to shopping and off-duty activities. A stipend of $125.00 per week is included. For further information please call the office. Send cover letter and resume (with phone numbers of three references and your current address and phone number) to Buzz Hull, Research Director, Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, Building 1064, Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: (415) 331-0730 FAX: (415) 331-7521 EMAIL: bhull@parksconservancy.org
Click here to download a pdf file with all of the details. Thanks!

Is it winter or migration or nesting season? Yes!

Though winter settled firmly into California this past month, this is a bit of an ambiguous season for birds of prey in the SF Bay Area. While some raptors are here for the winter, others are starting to nest, and still others are starting spring migration. Take Great Horned Owls for example: some local pairs have been at nest sites for more than a month, and some may even be incubating eggs. Expect the first owls to fledge about April first.

But other raptors still think it’s winter here. Some northern and inland species show up in October, hang around for six months of available prey and comparatively benign weather, then head north again in April. Among these out-of-towners is the Merlin, a small, dark-backed, open-land falcon whose specialty is hunting small birds in flocks. These may be shorebirds at the bay’s edge, or Savannah Sparrows near the grain silos of Solano County, but also House Sparrows in the avenues of San Francisco. This photo, taken by Eddie Bartley, is a male Richardson's Merlin (the lighter-colored, prairie subspecies).

For some birds of prey, late February means spring migration is starting. Our earliest spring migrant is usually the Osprey, returning from winter locations so far south (Chile!) that they called it summer. A magnificently long-winged fishing eagle, Osprey pass through on their northbound migration and may settle in to nest anywhere from Marin County all the way up the coast to central Alaska. After the Osprey breaks the ribbon, many other raptor species start migrating north to get to breeding sites. This Osprey (photographed by Don Moseman) is taking his lunch with him!

THE GGRO'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

The GGRO is celebrating 25 years of volunteer-driven raptor monitoring!

Thank you to all who came out to Raptor Fest in October! We hope you had fun and learned a few things about the GGRO and raptor conservation. A big thank you also to Odwalla and to the Mendocino Brewing Company for their generous support of Raptor Fest on our 25th Anniversary!