For over 25 years, the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO) has been 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."
 

Hawkwatching Alternatives for 2010

In September, raptors return en masse to the Marin Headlands, and for 26 years, GGRO volunteers have stood atop Hawk Hill daily to tally these aerial predators as they ride the winds north of the Golden Gate.

But this year, things are different – not for the hawks but the humans, and here’s why: the road to Hawk Hill is closed for rehabilitation through October, so our raptor counters will count from another hilltop site.  We also invite you to investigate new raptor-watching spots in the Park, and to join us for some weekend hawkwatching in September and October.  Read more >

Spy Summer's Shifting Shorebirds 

As the lazy days of summer roll through the parks, many bird species are finishing up their nesting attempts—but are not yet ready to move away from their breeding grounds. Most raptors and songbirds won’t begin their migrations in earnest for another month. But shorebirds start their journeys earlier and have already begun to arrive along our coast. The Golden Gate National Parks provide some great viewing areas for travelling sandpipers and their allies.  Read more >

Young Raptors Launch into Life

There is a distinctive hacking sound that a young Great Horned Owl makes when it is begging for prey from its parents. Like a child with a bad cold trying to clear his throat. Yes, yuck. It’s actually more like an upward, growling “retch”!

I heard an owl retch last night as I was getting ready to leave the Marin Headlands at sunset. And I knew instantly, we had owl babies this year. Full story >

  Support the GGRO >

Resources

• Season Summary 2009 (PDF)
• Pacific Raptor Report #30: 25th Anniversary Edition (PDF)
• Pacific Raptor Report 2008 (PDF)
• Season Summary 2008 (PDF)
• Pacific Raptor Report 2007 (PDF)

Marin Headlands Road Closures

There will be no public access to Hawk Hill until this fall.

Due to a massive road improvement project, Upper Conzelman Road in the Marin Headlands is currently closed to all traffic, bikes, and pedestrians through October. East Road is also currently closed. Other roads will experience delays of up to 30 minutes for traffic and may be closed completely to bikers.

- Road delays and closures
- Bike delays and closures
- Trail delays and closures
- Transit delays and closures
- Destinations & parking information

Please see the Project Headlands website for more information.