Connecting People & Parks: Siobhan Ruck

For almost 25 years, Siobhan Ruck has been trekking to Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands, 40 to 50 times every year, as a Golden Gate Raptor Observatory (GGRO) volunteer bander. After placing small bands around the legs of birds of prey, GGRO staff and volunteers gain insights into bird behavior and migration when the bands are later spotted or found. By studying hawks, falcons, and eagles over time, over 300 GGRO volunteers contribute to our understanding of raptors — and overall ecosystem health. “Community scientists” like Siobhan take pride in seeing raptors such as the Peregrine Falcon rebound in number. “A lot of us have been transformed into being ambassadors for the birds,” she says.