Hawk Watch at Green Ridge 2026
October 11 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The first count day will be on Saturday, Sept. 19th conducted by raptor biologist Emily Pierce. The rest of the schedule will be on Saturday, Sept. 26, Sunday Sept. 27 and the first three weekends of October from 12:00 noon until 5:00pm (unless it’s a big day and raptors continue to pass through).
If you want to participate please remember that we need both observers and counters so please contact me to sign up for the days that you will be available. No need to commit if you just want to come up as a visitor as there is always a need for more eyes to the skies to assist in spotting and tracking raptors. Bring a lawn chair and keep an eye out for Varied Thrush and Sooty Grouse on the way up.
Directions: Drive west from Sisters for 6 miles and turn right at Indian Ford Campground heading north on the paved 11 road for about 8 miles till the pavement ends. You will then turn left on the 1150 road following USFS signs for the Green Ridge fire lookout for about 8 more miles. We will post signs at the major intersections as you get closer to the site but only on count days. There is a small parking area so carpooling is encouraged. If you get to the gate for the fire lookout you have passed the area to park by about a hundred yards. The road has washboards and there are areas with potholes obscured by shadows so slow is the way to go. (The biggest pothole has been filled in by a vehicle so driving over its roof is now a lot smoother.) Seriously though, most passenger cars can make it OK if driven judicially.