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Wildlife

A bobcat sits in a field of tall grasses with yellow flowers
Wildlife corridors: The impacts of stitching together fragmented habitats

Milagra Ridge is considered a habitat island because it’s surrounded by development on all sides. A wildlife corridor could help provide species inhabiting Milagra Ridge with a safe way to connect and migrate to other parts of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), as well as other open spaces in the Bay Area.

Man holding fishing net with juvenile coho salmon in it. He's about to hand it over to a research to re-release it in Redwood Creek.
Coho salmon: [Co]ming [ho]me to Redwood Creek

For coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), the connection between Redwood Creek and the Pacific Ocean is a matter of life or death. 

Insects spotted in the Golden Gate National Parks, from left, strigamia, Jerusalem cricket, devil's coach horse.
Spot these fascinating insects in our parks

Hello fellow park lovers! Make sure to keep an eye out for a few of these interesting insects found in our Golden Gate National Parks recently.

A humpback whale is seen breaching off the coast of California in 2010.
Spouting off: Whale see you out here!

We have been fortunate to spot humpback and gray whales from the coast at Mori Point, as well as from the mountains at Rancho Corral de Tierra. We recommend heading out to the coast as soon as possible, if you want to bid them adieu.

A White-Tailed Kite in flight.
The White-Tailed Kite is quite a sight

The White-Tailed Kite is a beautiful predatory raptor that has recently been spotted at various parklands in San Mateo. Read more about the role this bird plays in its ecosystem and why I think it is so special.

Banana slug spotted at Rancho Corral de Tierra.
California banana slugs: Fun facts about our vibrant, terrestrial molluscs

The California banana slug is one of San Mateo County’s most iconic species. These animals need moisture, shade, and decomposing plant and animal material for consumption. 

Coyotes
Wildlife Encounter Tips

We want you to have a howlingly good time in the Golden Gate National Parks, but we also want to protect the wildlife that howl (and those that don’t).

Humpback Whale
Expert Tips for Whale Watching in the Golden Gate National Parks

Thar she blows! Your coastal parklands are parallel to a marine passage for migrating humpback whales, gray whales, blue whales, orcas, and so many more leviathans. We talked to the experts about what you can do to enhance your chances of spotting a whale spout on your next visit.

Coyote
Marin Wildlife Picture Index Project Results Rolling In

Wildlife cameras installed in Mt. Tam’s open spaces a year and a half ago have begun revealing some surprising things about the mountain’s furry residents.

sea lion
Fastest, Farthest, Deepest: Olympic Champ Animals at Golden Gate

In honor of the upcoming Rio Olympics, we asked: Which animals are the best swimmers, divers, and fliers in these parklands and waters? They’re competing tooth-and-nail (and claw-and-tail) to claim the “gold” at Golden Gate! Find out which species stand atop the podium.