john@nmtsun.nmt.edu (John Shipman) (08/05/89)
Hawk watching is splendid in the fall at the Marin Headlands (Golden Gate National Recreation Area). Although I haven't been there in a few years, I think most of what I have to say should still apply. The migration peaks mainly in the last half of September, although it is fairly decent for three weeks on either side of this peak. Also, the mix of birds tends to change over time, so don't put off going just because you're not in the heart of the migration. The best spot for hawk-watching is a group of former artillery emplacements on a hill commanding a great view of San Francisco, the bridge, and the ocean. To reach the site from south of the Golden Gate Bridge, cross the bridge and take the first exit, which leads to a parking lot and scenic overlook. Use the underpass to go under the freeway and climb the winding, two-lane road that goes up the hills west of the freeway. Stop and park near the top of the hill, before the road turns to a one-way road; above you, you will see some railings. Take any of the trails that lead to the top of the hill, either through the two tunnels by the road or around the west end of the hill. If you are coming from the Marin side, take the last exit before the bridge. (I can't remember the name of the exit, but it may be Alexander Ave. or GGNRA; I think it's the exit after the one for Sausalito.) Bear right and climb the hill, following the directions above. Once you get up on top of the hill, on most days you should see some hawk-watchers already there. If not, try to find a spot that has the best view to the northwest and northeast. The usual spot is on a small hilltop located a few dozen yards to the northeast of the railings and benches provided for viewing the City. The hawks tend to fly up the slope from the Rodeo Lagoon area, or, to a lesser extent, from the northeast. The normal weather pattern is fog in the morning and sun in the afternoon. Don't expect much movement of birds until the fog burns off. A good way to spend the early morning is to work the oases or ``warbler traps'' of Point Reyes (Nunez, Mendoza, the Fish Docks, the Abandoned Ranch, the RCA station, etc.) or at least the trees around Rodeo Lagoon, as this is also the best time of the year to see bizarre migrants (I have seen such gems as Black-billed Cuckoo and Canada Warbler, and things like Blackpoll and Blackburnian Warbler are almost regular). If anyone needs directions to the aforementioned places, I'll be happy to oblige. High winds, especially offshore winds, tend to decrease the raptor movement. However, check the place out anyway---I once spent a couple of hours on a cold, blustery day, and although there were very few hawks around, THAT was the day I saw a Peregrine Falcon. A good day may have hundreds of hawks per hour; peak rates of 100 to 200 per hour are not too unusual. A slow day might bring only 10-20 or so per hour. The mix is mostly Accipiters with some Red-tails and kestrels, but nearly anything may show up. One day we had four Broad-wings in sight at once. One of the thrills of this spot on a good day is the ``kettle'' phenomenon. Some of the more landlubberly birds seem to be afraid of drowning as they cross the Gate, or of being blown out to sea. Often they stack up until a group of hawks is circling together (which looks kind of like a kettle being stirred) and at some point they all cross the Gate together. The lighter the bird, the more nervous they are about the crossing. Turkey Vultures are especially hesitant, as they are quite light and depend on thermals, yet there are no thermals over the water. I heard a story from one hawk watcher that saw a T-V make it all the way to the south tower of the bridge (well over halfway) and then chicken out and fly back north, losing altitude all the way until by the time he got back to the headlands he was barely clearing the wave tops. -- John Shipman/Zoological Data Processing/Socorro, New Mexico USENET: ucbvax!unmvax!nmtsun!john CSNET: john@nmtsun.nmt.edu ``A lesson from past over-machined societies...the devices themselves condition the users to employ each other the way they employ machines.'' --Frank Herbert