Event Details (U.S. National Park Service)

Fee:

Free.

Location: LAT/LONG: 36.058588, -112.083496

There is no vehicle parking at Yaki Point, so, park at the visitor center and take the Eastbound Kaibab (ORANGE) Route shuttle to Yaki Point. The bust runs every 15 minutes between 6 am and sunset. The Raptor Migration Talk takes place fight at Yaki Point, within view of the bus stop. To locate the Raptor Monitoring Site, follow the hanging signs to the west, along a dirt footpath to the observation site.

Repeating Event

Days:

Every day

Dates:

October 11, 2024 to October 14, 2024

Time:

2:00 PM

Duration:

30 minutes

Type of Event

Other

Talk

Description

Raptor Migration Talk

During September and October, a variety of raptors and other birds soar southward over Grand Canyon. Learn about their remarkable journey, and why we count them every fall. Presented by Hawkwatch International.

NOTE: There is no vehicle parking at Yaki Point, please park at the visitor center and take the Eastbound Kaibab (ORANGE) Route shuttle to Yaki Point. Buses come every 15 minutes between 6 am and sunset.

When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 10:30 am & 2:00 pm (duration: 30 minutes)
Note: Programs may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

Location: Yaki Point on the South Rim. (September 13, through October 28, 2024)

After an introductory talk, interested visitors may accompany the Hawkwatch International (HWI) birders, to the Raptor Monitorig Site, a short walk southwest of Yaki Point. You are welcome to stay for a few minutes or an hour for a guided spotting session. Learn about raptor ecology, and identification, along with HWI's ongoing research efforts.

Observers help count the numbers of raptors migrating through the canyon, including red-tailed, Cooper's, and sharp-shinned hawks; American kestrel and peregrine falcons; bald and golden eagles; northern harriers, turkey vultures, osprey, and California Condors.

It is also possible to visit the Raptor Monitoring Site on you own. The site is staffed daily By HWI birders, between 9 am and 4 pm. The site offers spectacular views of raptors from above and below, with an average of 8000 sightings each fall.

What to Bring

Binoculars
Bird Field Guide
Folding chair
Water (plenty of water!)
Food/snacks
Hat and sunscreen
Sunglasses
Dress in layers (windshell, base layer, jacket, gloves, etc.)
Camera

Note: This outdoor activity is weather dependent and migration counts are not conducted in inclement weather.

How to Find the Monitoring Site on Your Own

At the far western end of the shuttle bus stop, follow hanging signs to a narrow, unpaved trail that leads across the rocky, uneven ground through a sparsely forested area with low desert scrub. The trail's width varies from a foot to three- to four-feet (1- to 1.2 m) wide along a gentle downward sloping surface. Caution is advised as you move along the trail across flat limestone rocks and smaller six- to eight-inch (15- to 20 cm) loose rocks strewn in the path.

The trail leads 200 feet (60 m) to a wide open flat-topped mesa, 15-feet (5 m) wide by 40-feet (12 m) long. Note: there are no railings or ropes on the platform to prevent accidental slips and falls on the loose footing, so exercise extreme caution when approaching the edge. (This platform is only open seasonally during the annual Hawkwatch event in the fall).

More information