Leaders: Phil and Pat Gordon, pagpeg AT aol.com , 510-538-3550
 
Join us at Golden Gate Raptor Observatory’s Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands during fall migration when thousands of southbound birds pass overhead.  As many as 17 species of raptors have been seen here (once including a Mississippi Kite), from the more common Red-Tailed, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks to uncommon Merlins and even Broad-Winged Hawks. Our trip is planned for the peak of the season. On a clear day, Hawk Hill can be amazing with the added challenge of other passing migrating species such as Band-tailed Pigeons, Lewis's Woodpeckers, swifts, swallows and Varied Thrushes!

We will begin below at 9:00 AM at Rodeo Lagoon, first looking for rarities in the willows and then returning later in the day for a more thorough search of the main lagoon and coast. We will plan to head up to Hawk Hill by 11:00 AM to park and carry our lunches and water up to join the rest of the hawk-watchers at the Hawk Lookout.  We should be able to attend the noon docent program where a volunteer will talk about hawk migration and identification. Usually a  newly-banded bird is  brought out and released in front of us! Time here will mostly be spent training our sights on the distant horizons - hoping for sightings of approaching hawks, eagles, and falcons.  As the activity decreases, we will return to the lagoon and spend some time “sea-watching.”

Besides lunch and water, dress in layers as it can be cold and windy in the headlands even when the sun is shining.  A camp stool might come in handy on the hill.  Carpooling is recommended as parking can be very limited.  Meet the leaders at 9:00 AM at Rodeo Lagoon at the large dirt parking area on the right before the bridge over the lagoon, near the willows.  Or meet us at 11:00 AM up on Hawk Hill (Conzelman Rd). Restrooms are available at the Marin Headlands Visitor Center near the lagoon. A portable toilet is at the base of Hawk Hill.          

DIRECTIONS:  Google maps recognizes both “Rodeo Lagoon” and “Hawk Hill” as destinations.  Either destination is about 1 hour northwest of Hayward via the Richmond Bridge.  Take I-580W over the bridge to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Marin County.  Take exit 2A from I-580W.  Get on US-101 South. Follow US-101S to Alexander Ave.  Take exit 442 from US-101S.  Turn right onto Alexander Ave. and left on Bunker Rd. towards the Marin Headlands.  (It is a very short distance from the freeway to Bunker Rd.; if you are headed down into Sausalito, you have gone too far.) Continue on Bunker Rd. through the one-way tunnel to Rodeo Lagoon.  If you are driving directly to Hawk Hill instead of Rodeo Lagoon, after exiting the freeway head up Conzelman Rd. and you will come to the parking lot for Hawk Hill.  A fairly short, steep hike takes you up the hill.  To get to Hawk Hill from Rodeo Lagoon, return the way you came in on Bunker Rd.  Turn right on McCullough Rd. and right again on Conzelman Rd. to reach Hawk Hill.  Pat’s cell phone is 510-364-6472.