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The 2020 Raptor Survey

CATEGORY: Current Events |
On Apr 16, 2020

If you spot a nest while out in your neighborhood, please share the information by going to:
RAPTOR TIP LINE: raptors@friendsofgriffithpark.org

The 2020 Raptor Training Presentation can be accessed here…
GP Raptor Nest Monitoring Training Workshop 2020 low res

Due to the overwhelming number of volunteer rsvps, we’ve had to close this years’ signups. If you wanted to take part, but didn’t sign up, you’ll have to wait until next year to participate. In the meantime we encourage you to get out and watch on your own, and if you have a nest and would like to include it in next year’s study, please contact Courtney at griffithparkraptors@gmail.com with the information.

While we’re sorry some will be excluded, we hope this won’t discourage you from participating in future studies.

~Friends of Griffith Park


Maybe you had such a great time last year, you’re ready to participate again this year –or– time constraints prevented you from participating in the past and you now have free time to spend out in the field watching raptors fly… and make little raptors.

In case you missed it… the 2020 Raptor Study was mentioned in a recent article from the LA Times along with a nod to the study’s co manager, Courtney McCammon https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-01-03/outdoors-nature-tidepools-bighorn-sheep-raptors-griffith-park-newport-beach

Either way, the Raptor Study is back for the fourth year and FoGP is excited to again be part of it. If you’re interested in participating, there will be two training sessions (attendance to one is required for all those wishing to participate). Volunteer application form pdf is included at bottom — you can fill it in and send it to griffithparkraptors@gmail.com by January 31st. A brief outline of what to expect if you’ve not done this survey before is also included. We guarantee you’ll have a really good time if you choose to become a volunteer. If you’re interested in volunteering, you can sign up for either or both sessions by going to the email and along with your application, let Courtney know which session you’re interested in attending. Also use the email if you have questions for Courtney!

First Session / Sat., Feb. 1 / 9:00 a.m. to Noon / Ranger Visitor Center Auditorium
Second Session / Sun., Feb. 9 / 9:00 a.m. to Noon / Ranger Visitor Center Auditorium

But first, little background about the study area from Cooper Ecological Monitoring.

Griffith Park, including the Los Angeles River channel, is home to about 150 regularly-occurring bird species. Intensive fieldwork following the May 2007 wildfire documented nearly 100 species in the park (exclusive of the L.A. River). Raptors are of particular interest since many tend to use the same nests or nesting sites year after year, and are of high interest to both the public and to conservationists. Because they vary in disturbance tolerance, raptors are good indicators of ecosystem health.

During each of the past 3 seasons (spring/summer), volunteers have documented 50-60 active each year within c. 10 km of Griffith Park. The Red-tailed hawk remains our most numerous species (more than half the detected nests each year), with Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Great Horned Owl less common but still widespread. Unfortunately nests of American Kestrel remain elusive, although a probable territory has been noted in the Elysian Valley near the former Taylor Yards railway yard. In addition, Cooper Ecological received regular reports of likely nesting by Western Screech-owl and Barn Owl, but have yet to fully document these species within the study area.

Monitoring Schedule
Late Jan./Feb.: Volunteer training, led by Dan Cooper and Courtney McCammon; nest-searching, including re-visiting known nest sites.
March: Volunteers deployed to monitor nests as they are confirmed/discovered; new nests continue to be located, and basic data taken on substrate/tree species, topography, etc.
April-June: Volunteers continue to monitor nesting activity, as the first fledglings emerge and leave the nest by the end of June.
July: Volunteer party; report-writing.

Volunteer Application and Survey 2020
FoGP Raptor Survey 2020 Information (one-sheet)

ALSO SEE:
Final 2019 Results and 2019 Powerpoint Presentation

Comments

9 Comments

  1. I will be revisiting the red tails that nest yearly at greystone manor! I observed a pair raise 3 chicks last year which started my bird watching journey. And I’

    Reply
  2. We have been happy neighbors to what appears to be a mated pair of Cooper’s Hawks here in the Santa Susanna area of Simi Valley. Often see them in flight, more often hear their cries. I have often seen the gorgeous red-tail that hunts along the freeway, descending into Simi Valley from Chatsworth. Just wanted to tell you that the west side of the Santa Susanna Pass is well populated with raptors.

    Reply
    • Very exciting to hear…

      Reply
  3. Hi Folks,
    I’m trying to RSVP for the Second Session / Sun., Feb. 9 / 9:00 a.m. to Noon / Ranger Visitor Center Auditorium.
    My computer won’t except the registration form, so I made a JPEG to send from a screen grab.
    I’m new to the survey and am looking forward to some training in order to assist in the raptor count.
    Dan

    Reply
    • Thanks for taking the time to get this over to Courtney. Hope you also check out the LA Times article now posted on our website

      Reply
  4. Hi Courtney,
    I still walk about the Hollywood Reservoir (the “rez”) and do a bit of bird-watching almost daily and will be glad to look out for raptor nests. I’m still illiterate when it comes to identifying exact locations, so the best I can do is pass info on to you along with a general sense of where the nests are (e.g., 115 paces South of the RAIN sign on the East side…).
    Best wishes in the New Year!

    Reply
    • Thanks for your interest and hope you sent the info to Courtney. Also, the LA Times gave the study a nod… check it out (on our site).

      Reply
  5. I would like to be in the 2020raptor study program . I’m a member of Friends of Griffith Park. My name is Daniel Gonzalez. My Instagram is danielgonzalez2825. I like wildlife photography. Please Include me in your study .You can contact me through my Instagram or email thanks.

    Reply
    • Daniel… you need to contact Courtney directly since she’s coordinating the study group. You will also need to fill out a volunteer form which is on the website. There’s also a link to an article from the LA Times talking about the upcoming study. Check it out!

      Reply

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