Feb 21 – Hawk Watch, Raptor Learning and Hike, Ramona
Hawk Watch, Raptor Learning and Hike, Ramona.
Saturday, Feb 21, 9:30-12:00 or longer with a hike after.
Meet at Begent Ranch at the Ramona Grasslands
18528 Highland Valley Road.
www.wildlife-research.org/hawkwatch
The Wildlife Research Institute has a free presentation of the life histories of hawks, eagles and owls and the significance of the Ramona Grassland ecosystem to the raptors’ survival. This is a bring your own chair for an outside sit for an informative and live demonstration of a few hawks, owls, and falcons. And viewing various wild raptors flying in the field during the presentation. Plus, in the barn are others with some local snakes and an old eagles nest. Coffee, doughnuts, rolls, and refreshments are available. Also, clothing, hats, and merchandise are available to purchase that support WRI organization. Bathrooms are available. No dogs please. Please wear warm clothes in layers to shed and a sun hat for the program – it can get chilly while sitting still while the sun can be hot on the head.
Come by at 9:30 to park free where directed, walk to the barn to look at things and get a chair spot.
The program starts at 10 am and goes to 11:30.
After the presentation, if you wish to, a short drive to a viewing area where the biologists will point out the Bald eagle’s nest and Golden Eagle’s roost plus any other hawks or vultures visible. They have really good scopes to let you look through.
Hike afterwards?: Again after that short viewing time, if you wish to, we can drive to the Grasslands hiking trail for a 1-3 mile loop trail. An easy hike on a good trail with a couple of easy incline hills that give you a big view of the entire Grasslands area and the plain of western Ramona.
What to bring: a comfortabe folding chair, jacket layers, sunhat, sunglasses, your best binoculars, hiking shoes.
Directions: Two ways from Escondido or western/northern areas: 1) Take Hwy 15 south to exit 26 for Pomerado rd. Then head east on Pomerado going over Hwy 15, 0.4 miles to Highland Valley rd intersection. Left onto Highland Valley rd and follow the curvy road all the way up to the Ramona plain until you get to The Begent Ranch on your left. A Hawk Watch sign and eagle statue are at the entrance. Park where directed.
2) Take Hwy 78 from Escondido into Ramona Main Street (hwy 67). Right turn on Main St. heading South West to Highland Valley Rd intersection. Right turn and follow 1 mile up to the Begent Ranch.
From Poway/Penasquitos: Take the Poway Grade or Scripps Poway Pkwy up to Hwy 67 to Ramona. Then left, north, onto Highland Valley Road intersection. Follow that 1 mile to the ranch. A Hawk Watch sign and eagle statue are at the entrance. Park where directed.
Info contact: text/call Vinnie Rodrig 858-231-7722 Please text me, if you plan to come to this event to meet up and sit together. They don’t cancel for rain, it goes on.