Golden Gate Raptor Observatory

Tracking raptors
Our Work
The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory coordinates volunteer scientists to monitor and track the autumn raptor migration over the Marin Headlands.
Intern Laura Echavez learning to hold a Red-tailed Hawk
Our Work
GGRO Raptor Migration Interns split their time evenly between the banding and hawkwatch programs, and work with a large and dedicated group of volunteer community scientists on a daily basis.
person with binoculars
Our Work
Visit this page during the fall migration season (mid-August to early-December) for daily count totals.
Following a hawk with radiotelemetry
Our Work
Volunteer radiotrackers fit a banded hawk with a radio transmitter weighing less than 3 percent of body weight, and follow the hawk constantly as it moves through California.
GGRO bander Ari La Porte examines a Sharp-shinned Hawk
Our Work
Specially trained volunteers sit in small blinds in the hills of the Headlands, trapping and banding raptors and taking measurements and health data.
Our Work
The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO) uses long-term volunteer-powered research programs to track the fall migration of raptors through the Marin Headlands.
A juvenile Cooper's Hawk delights a young visitor
Our Work
Hawk Talks and Raptor Releases on hiatus
Two hawkwatchers scan the west quadrant
Our Work
During the autumn months, our teams of volunteer hawk counters identify and tally 19 species of birds of prey, working under the leadership of an experienced dayleader.
Hawk Hill
Our Work
Raptor tracking provides a more complete picture of raptor movements between banding and recovery