The Presidio (4/14/2026)

Today I returned to The Presidio for more Owl Nest Monitoring (as part of the Raptor Nest Monitoring I’m doing). And, I saw my FIRST NEST!!!

Okokok, I can’t take credit for this. NOT AT ALL. Another volunteer, who is easily The Volunteer of us all, tipped me off by getting this intel from a frequent birder in The Presidio that she ran into. I wasn’t even looking at this spot on Barnard Ave. AT ALL. It’s not a previously known nest tree. Haven’t really heard consistent hoots at that spot. But there you have it. Those Great Horned Owl Ninjas went and fooled me!

When I first got to the coordinates, I found the tree. And the female’s horns were visible. But she was turned away from me.

A woman walking by asked me if I was looking for The Owls, to which I shared with her where the nest tree was. She was so happy to know where the nest was, as she lives in the area and hears The Owls so often.

And while we were chatting, the female GHO turned her head to face us! That Death Stare! How I love it so!

But I am SO DELIGHTED I know where the nest tree is. It’s always incredibly lucky to know it before any Owlets are there, so you have a better chance of seeing them at their youngest (and most ridiculous). But with this fantastic intel, my Presidio Night Walk program this Friday is going to be AMAZEBALLS. Since I wasn’t able to show GHOs whatsoever (not even a DANG HOOT in the group’s earshot on a flippin’ FULL MOON) during my last Night Walk in the area, this upcoming program is going to be a SPECIAL TREAT!!

This is the pair I refer to as the Barnard Ave. Owls. The BAOs. In contrast to the YMCA GHOs, of which at least one is favoring a Monterey Cypress on Funston. A female. Didn’t hear or see the male last time I checked in on it.

I was HOPING to at least hear what I call the Ecology Trail Owls. The ETOs. It’s been tough getting up the trail to try hearing/seeing them when I’ve had good luck with spotting and watching the other two pairs in some form. Always think they’ll eventually hunt and return something to wherever the nest is. But I haven’t been able to stay out late enough. Once any Owlets are out, that behavior should move into more daylight timing. Which would help A LOT.

But while I was listening on the Ecology Trail, I happened to see a PEREGRINE FALCON flying overhead! Even saw it diving down into the Dog Run Area but didn’t see it come up. Hm!

Also spotted a good number of Blue Dicks blooming on a hillside right about then, too. Do I wish they had a different name? Yes. Yes, I do.

While I was waiting in vain for the ETOs to hoot at all, I wondered something. MAYBE the pair I’ve heard in that huge euc on Fernandez St. WERE THESE OWLS??

I gave up my post and headed there. Nothing. But while listening and looking, another woman walked past. Asked if I was seeing The Owls, and she shared with me that she walks this route every night. Knows where all the GHOs in the area are. Hears them ON HER ROOF over on Portola St.!

She said she could take my email and let me know if she were to hear any of the ETOs as she was headed that way and heard them there last night. I asked if she might be interested in volunteering to help with any GHO Nest Monitoring, and she said, “Yes!”

Hoping this can work out. Ideally, she can keep an eye on those ETOs since they’re harder to get to and harder to see/find! And how cool would it be for more and more Presidio residents to get into this? Give back to the park they live in? It’d be AMAZING.