When you count raptors in one of the most trafficked parks in North America, it’s easy to feel like a hidden gem. Often, folks are hiking through the park and stumble upon our count site, having no idea about our annual research. Even so, the Grand Canyon HawkWatch is the most visited site in our network, with thousands of people visiting each year. With so many things to do and see at the park, we appreciate all of you who stop by for our education programs and to hawkwatch alongside us, whether it is on purpose or a happy accident.
So, who will you meet when you visit our Grand Canyon HawkWatch? Welcome the three new faces joining the crew this year, all of whom are incredibly passionate biologists!
Sofia Bajenaru
Originally hailing from Massachusetts, Sofia moved across the country to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies with a focus in Environmental Education from the University of Oregon. Their undergrad work involved teaching third graders in both Spanish and English about the twin migratory watersheds of the Willamette Valley and Rio Laja by tracking the journey of the Rufous Hummingbird. When not being an outdoor educator at Twin Rivers Charter School, they spend their weekends volunteering at the Cascades Raptor Center, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and reading by the river. This is their first HawkWatch International season, and they’re looking forward to further improving their in-flight raptor ID skills and being surrounded by fellow bird nerds. While picking their favorite raptor feels like picking their favorite child, they love Barn Owls, and they have a huge soft spot for Turkey Vultures.
Alison Goodrich
Ali completed her biology degree at Colorado State University and was an avian research assistant in Colorado and New Mexico, evaluating species response to wildfire. Most recently, she surveyed for Pinyon Jays in southern Colorado to determine endangered species status and inform land management decisions. This is her first season with HawkWatch International, and she is excited to learn about raptor migration and contribute to conservation efforts. She is a plant and wildlife enthusiast but can also be found reading, cooking, and trail running. Her favorite raptor is the Golden Eagle!
Grace Yaros
Originally from New Jersey, Grace went on her first birdwatching trip in the fall of 2016, and she has been hooked ever since! She graduated in May 2023 from the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, where she completed an undergraduate thesis investigating nest box use by American Kestrels in western Vermont. Since graduation, her work has involved nest searching and monitoring of sagebrush obligate songbirds in Wyoming and of beach-nesting plovers and terns in eastern Texas. It’s hard to choose, but her favorite raptors would probably be American Kestrels and Broad-winged Hawks! She is incredibly stoked to be joining the crew at the Grand Canyon HawkWatch this fall. She is excited to count lots of raptors, explore the national park, and get to know the resident California Condors! In the rare moments when she’s not birding, she loves listening to music and baking.
If you need help planning your trip or are curious about how the count is going throughout the season, join our “Friends of Grand Canyon HawkWatch” Facebook group! There, you can chat directly with our crew and other bird nerds excited about the fall count.
This blog was written by Sammy Riccio, our Communications Manager, as well as our 2024 crewmembers. You can learn more about Sammy here.
