Hawks make a home above Mission High - and eggs may be on horizon

"For these red-tailed hawks, the tower at Mission High School is a cliff. Red-tailed hawks like to nest near open meadows or grassy areas. Before humans were around, they built nests in trees and on cliffs. The tower is one of the highest spots in the Mission District, providing sweeping views of Dolores Park and the prey that moves through it."

"They're always astounded because you can't see the nest without the telescope, so people are usually just like, 'Wow I would have never seen that.' Masias frequently goes to Dolores Park with a spotting scope on a tripod to observe the pair, inviting passersby to peer up at the nest."

"Shannon Morris Lawson, an art teacher at Mission High, sees the hawks as a protecting power. She said she always spots them at big events, like the No Kings protest. The hawks have drawn attention at Mission High, with students accustomed to seeing the birds soaring overhead and eating rats."

Red-tailed hawks have made their home in a nest atop Mission High School's tower in San Francisco, with the exact arrival date unknown but documented since at least 2012 when ravens previously occupied the same nest. The tower's height makes it an ideal nesting site, functioning as an artificial cliff for the hawks who naturally prefer locations near open meadows and grassy areas. Birdwatcher Erick Masias regularly observes the pair from Dolores Park using a spotting scope, sharing views with passersby. The hawks have become familiar to Mission High students and staff, who frequently witness them hunting rats and pigeons around campus. Art teacher Shannon Morris Lawson views the hawks as a protective presence, noting their appearances during significant school events.

Read at Mission Local