A Banner Year for Golden Eagles at Los Vaqueros
Every year beginning in December/January, golden eagle nesting activity is monitored in the Los Vaqueros Watershed and trails and public areas around nests are closed until the eagles have fledged. By mid-July in 2023, five golden eaglets had successfully fledged from four nests located in the watershed and a sixth fledging was produced in a fifth nest located approximately 725 feet from, and surrounded on three sides by, watershed property. All six fledglings were eventually seen flying capably with their parents near their nesting sites. This year marks the most successful and productive year for breeding golden eagles in the Los Vaqueros Watershed since 2012, and only the third year in 30 that the watershed pairs fledged six or more young!
As the golden eaglets have fledged, all trails have reopened to the public for recreation. Find map and more information on our Hiking and Trails page.
Golden Eagle Nest at Los Vaqueros (photo by Sue Griffin)
