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A Hawkwatcher's Account

by

Lori Dervin

"The clear realities of nature seen with the inner eye of the spirit reveal the ultimate echo of God." Ansel Adams

For Thoreau it was Walden. For me it is Hawk Hill. My first encounter with raptors was awhile back. On a long strenuous bike ride I was looking for a peaceful rest stop and found much more. I stumbled onto a mildly populated observation platform on Braddock’s Bay in Hamlin, NY. In typical hawkwatcher fashion the group was soon generously sharing their equipment, expertise and raptor passion with me. Thus prepared - I ventured a skyward gaze and what a site to behold. I spotted a swirling maze of hundreds of huge wide winged birds and numerous smaller birds flitting about.¹ With beginners luck I landed the binoculars on yet another fine - a monstrous long winged golden napped bird - I couldn’t help but name - Yes, a Golden Eagle. I pedaled away, a tear in my eye consumed with wonder, awe and respect. The seed had been dropped.

Sitting on a hill in a contemplative moment with melancholy leanings I was offered a spectacular raptor viewing. In my peripheral vision I observed a large bird stop in mid air. It’s fanned wing and tail feathers captured the sunlight in a dazzling display. ² The seed germinated.

It was time to sprout, time to study these wonderful creatures. I timidly inquired about GGRO’s hawkwatching program and to my delight found it to be the perfect opportunity. The well organized, fun filled, training sessions flooded my head with more facts and details than any one person should try to juggle, especially me. I left feeling very excited and somewhat terrified of the first day on the Hill.

Thankfully, advanced hawkwatcher’s are a welcoming bunch and gladly took me under their wings. This disoriented fledgling quickly adapted to the scenic new surroundings and efficient monitoring routine on the Hawk Hill.

During that long hour when your only sighting is a single turkey vulture you can occupy your time with a multitude of activities. I, personally, could sit for hours and hours just looking. Looking down through the Golden Gate Bridge upon the colorful spinnaker sails of a fleet race dotting the bay, watching a tugboat guide a humongous tanker back out to sea, tracing the vertical outline of the Farallon Islands or just observing the prominent color currently pervading the landscape. Some Hawkwatchers have even spotted Elvis.

I also used this time to review the landmark - Mt. Diablo, Kirby Cove, Angel Island, Alcatraz, Mt. Tam. +++. We get to hang out on a spectacular vantage point.

I had the good fortune to be assigned to a superb hawkwatching team with an excellent dayleader/coach. My new bi-weekly family became my mentors and friends, and even got me out of a few jams.

Shorts seemed appropriate in the Southern Quadrant - sunbather’s paradise; but obviously were a ridiculous choice for the arctic wind blasts and swirling fog in the Northern Quadrant. Micro-climates, now I get it. A well prepared fellow raptor groupie briefly teased me and then provided me with wind pants and a cup of hot chocolate. What a supportive gang.

And then comes peak! - 100+ birds an hour buzzing right on by. I was amazed at all the training session facts that popped into my head, enabling me to identify a few of those raptors. The energy and excitement on those busy days is vibrating in the air. That same level of enthusiasm rips through the area when a rare species is sited, say for example a Northern Goshawk or a Rough-legged hawk. A raptor rush.

The perfectly lit wing windows of an Immature Red-tailed Hawk sent me dancing through the quadrants. I often had this need to stay with a bird; watching it soar, glide, turn, dive and perch. I was like a bad soccer player always out of position and after the ball. My coach gently called me back to the task at hand.

What a kick it is to I.D. 10+ species in one day. Just when you think your identification skills are on par you are tested. And tested again - with the accipiter study - aka. a lesson on being humble. Unidentified is an acceptable answer.

Over and over again I experienced moments of rapture with the raptors. I gladly choose to spend my time with GGRO in their fabulous setting with such delightful people. The seed has dropped, germinated, sprouted and is now growing to great heights.

You, too, can become a part of this amazing program and help save precious wilderness areas and wildlife.

"The Great wilderness areas, designated for perpetuation of the intangible qualities of nature, must be given appropriate use and interpretation, and complete protection." Ansel Adams

¹.A novice then, but with just GGRO's excellent introductory training easily identified as not so huge Broad-winged Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks.

^2.GGRO training - Red-tailed Hawk kiting

Contact the GGRO:

Mail:
Golden Gate Raptor Observatory
Building 201, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123

Phone:
(415) 331-0730

E-mail address:
ggro@parksconservancy.org

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