The great paradox of restoration ecology, and the work that the Conservancy does, is that the refuges and sanctuaries we design, build and manage are created for the benefit of wildlife. The theory is that as wildlife is displaced by urbanization, they need a safe...
(March 7, 2018) The HCPs require that the Conservancy plant potential nesting trees for Swainson’s hawk. The hope is that in the subsequent decade or two after planting, the trees will have enough stature to support a Swainson’s hawk nest. We’ve...
Conservancy field personnel are seeing a lot of Swainson’s Hawk activity already this year. On a Conservancy alfalfa field in the North Basin Reserve Area, we’ve photo’d a number of “dark morphs” (see photo of a single Swainson’s Hawk...
Drive just about anywhere in the Natomas Basin during the spring season and you are frequently able to see Swainson’s Hawk soaring overhead. One of the most often-asked questions of the Conservancy is one of Swainson Hawk identification. Over the past 10 years...
They are everywhere. If you like raptors, this is the time of year in the Natomas Basin when there is much to see. The hawks are about in such numbers that it’s difficult not to be amazed. Most are red tail hawks. Swainson’s hawks just aren’t...
