Hawkwatch Volunteer - Hawk Dayleader

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As a Volunteer Leader, you will guide and support our dedicated teams of hawk counters during the autumn months. Under your leadership, volunteers will identify and tally 19 species of birds of prey using a systematic approach known as the Quadrant System, allowing for consistent data collection and comparison across years. The insights gained from these counts are crucial for understanding trends and patterns in hawk populations over time.

Join us as a GGRO hawk dayleader! We welcome new leaders to our hawkwatching team every spring, with training sessions commencing in July. Leaders must commit to overseeing one regular day every two weeks from mid-August through early December; comprehensive training will be provided. Volunteer activities will take place in the scenic Marin Headlands.

Physical Demands:

• Walk up and down a 300ft elevation gain to the top of Hawk Hill
• Sit/stand on Hawk Hill and scan for hawks for a 5-hour shift
• Communicate with your teammates about raptor location and identification.
• Spot hawks! You will need eyesight good enough to spot and track hawks at near and far distances with the assistance of binoculars
• Maintain enthusiasm on cold, foggy days.

What we are looking for:

• Well-developed sense of curiosity and humility about learning new information
• A commitment to excellence in fulfilling the responsibilities of the role.
• Passion for wild birds and their conservation
• Ability to foster collaboration among diverse personalities and work styles.
• Capability to provide clear directions and instructions to volunteer team members.

Time commitment:

• Field Season:
  • One day every other week from mid-August until early December
  • 8 field days total each season
  • 9:15 - 3:30
• Virtual Meetings and Training:
  • 4 Virtual trainings - mandatory, late June through July
  • Recorded if you cannot attend
• 2-Season Commitment
• About 6 hours every two weeks

Start Date - 2025-09-11

End Date - 2025-11-30