Date: 10/20/26 6:06 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (20 Oct 2026) 180 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 20, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 41 1575 1575 OS 0 17 181 BE 4 206 621 NH 1 50 96 SS 32 3121 4698 CH 11 232 361 AG 0 0 0 RS 7 31 47 BW 0 9 7930 RT 69 352 743 RL 0 0 0 GE 14 23 25 AK 0 58 184 ML 0 82 119 PG 0 31 44 UA 0 16 24 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 1 1 UR 1 19 55
Golden Eagles: 09:50 juv distant and low on N side 11:18 juv high on ridgetop 11:26 juv high on ridgetop 11:41 juv high on ridgetop 12:27 adult high on ridgetop 12:42 2nd year high on ridgetop 14:24 2nd/3rd year mid on N side 14:36 juv mid on ridgetop 14:36 juv mid on ridgetop 14:29 1st/2nd year mid on ridgetop 15:19 2nd/3rd year mid on ridgetop 15:24 juv mid on ridgetop 15:34 2nd/3rd year mid on N side 15:59 juv mid on ridgetop
We saw an immature BAEA escort the last 3 GOEA along the ridge. Each time it would follow the GOEA downridge, even circling with it if the GOEA stopped to circle, and then come back upridge 5-10 minutes later. The last GOEA we saw was a dark juvenile that lacked the white spots on the wings that most have.
Ashley came up at the end of the day and showed us photos and a video of a GOEA she saw on the drive up that was on the ground and later in a tree. We were able to pick out the farm field and tree she saw it in from the lookout but it must have already moved by that time.
We also had an unusual RTHA in the morning with a very white head.
Non-raptor Observations: Monarchs: 3 LFE: 5 Blue Jays: 52 Pine Siskins: 135 Goldfinches: 15 House Finches: 16 Purple Finches: 1
Predictions: Low to moderate N/NNW wind, sunny. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 20, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Karen Zampell, Pauline Hurley-Kurtz, Pete Kurtz, Scott Keys
Visitors: About 40 visitors today, mostly the penultimate group of Salisbury middle schoolers led by Mr. Byer. The last couple trips unfortunately didn't have many birds, but today's kids came at the peak of the day's movement and got great looks at vultures, sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks, red-tails, and even found us our only merlin of the day. A couple kids were really hoping to see peregrines - if you're reading this, the one I had was my very last bird of the day many hours after you left. Sorry!!!!
Joined in the afternoon by Scott Keys, Pete Kurtz and Pauline Hurley-Kurtz, and Karen Zampell, with whom I shared a lovely conversation about birds, bugs, and plants.
Weather: 53-67 F, clear blue skies, north to northeast wind with gusts up to 16, though petering out by the end of the day.
Raptor Observations: American Goshawk (1): 0840a
Contrary to my understanding of conventional wisdom, the north wind pushed most raptors (but not all, maybe about 70%) on a due southbound flight line rather than pushing them onto the ridge, to the point where I switched to the south lookout after about an hour, and the volume of birds wasn't as high as I'd have expected.
But when quantity is left wanting, quality often prevails, and the first non-vulture of the day was none other than a big fat stunner of an ADULT GOSHAWK! Since this was my lifer, I thought I would again include an ebird checklist with details about my observation: https://ebird.org/checklist/S404112697
Non-raptor Observations: Pine siskin flight calls were present throughout the day, though I was only able to actually find one flock in my bins. A few purple finches were also nice. A pair of very brave juncos were feeding on seeds hardly 3 yards away from where I was sitting.
Interesting bugs today - a couple autumn meadowhawks, 3 straggler monarchs after I thought they were done for sure, lots of ladybugs, bronze jumping spiders, and western conifer seed bugs that I've seen around before, but seemed to be out in force today.
Predictions: Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 5 to 10 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Jim Rocco
Observers: Ed Gowarty,Sr, Greg Gdula
Visitors: 40 plus visitors including members of Bedford tourist association and flight 95 tour group. Greg Gdula and ED Gowarty helped with spotting.
Weather: Clear blue skies with not a cloud all day, Winds from the NE switching to ENE then East, Visibility clear up to 40 (KM) Average temperature was 13 degrees (C).
Raptor Observations: 99 Raptors counted for the day including 1 bald eagle, 39 tv 6 sharp shinned , 2 coopers, 37 red tails, 13 golden eagles, 1 ur.
Non-raptor Observations: 10 commorants, white breasted nuthatches, blue jays, ravens, downy woodpecker, red bellied woodpecker.
Predictions: Same as today ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Rocco (<jd.jh.rocco...>)
Date: 10/20/26 2:58 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (20 Oct 2026) 27 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 20, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Rosemary Spreha
Observers: Gary Labelle, Sue Dibble
Visitors: Eleven for the view.Nancy Welch and John Bell stopped to say hello.
Weather: Sunny, strong wind from North, shifting to NE and NW. Temperature ranged from 48 to 64 degrees.
Raptor Observations: Three immature golden eagles. Two adult and two immature bald eagles counted. Three adult and one immature bald eagle not counted.
Non-raptor Observations: Small groups of Pine siskin flying past hawk watch. Dark-eyed Junco have returned. Two groups of parachutists jumped from helicopters above the hawk watch.
Predictions: High 65, winds from NNW. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Alan Simon, Chuck Root
Observers: Bob Kelly, Chuck Root, Dave Eberly, Tom Bush
Visitors: Karen Serwatka, Robin Queenan
Weather: Temperatures in the 50s and 60s F. Light NE wind. Not a cloud to be seen.
Raptor Observations: A decent showing for our site dominated by Turkey Vultures. Three Bald Eagles on the move.
Perhaps four non-migrating Red-tails hanging around. The usual local raptors not migrating: TV, BV, CH, ML, BE
Non-raptor Observations: DC Cormorant, Common Raven.
Predictions: Similar to today without any meaningful cloud cover. Sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 10 to 15 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Eberly (<david.eberly...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Compiler: JF Therrien, Rebecca McCabe
Counters: Hannah Upton
Visitors: 246
Weather: Clear, winds out of the north between 6-19km/h
Raptor Observations: Sharpies and red-tails dominated the low flight day. Local Bald Eagles put on a show for visitors with up to six in the sky at once!
Non-raptor Observations: Flocks (up to 80 in one) of pine siskins made their way past the lookout throughout the afternoon. Ravens called and came close to the lookout, entertaining visitors.
Predictions: Similar to today, sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 13:45:00 Total observation time: 3.75 hours
Official Counter: Phil Keener
Observers: Randy Phillips, Tom Warman
Visitors: 14
Weather: Predominately a moderate N wind with some variability in both direction and velocity. Temp = 13-17C (55-61F), cloudless sky with good visibility but some distant haze.
Raptor Observations: Minimal migration movement detected.
Non-raptor Observations: DD Cormorant flock of ~ 70 birds, common raven, and pileated WP.
Predictions: Similar weather to today but wind more easterly/south-easterly. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Parks Volunteer (<parks...>)
Contributors: KM Andersen, David Bennett, Michele Carlson, Thomas Connor, Donald Doherty, John Dzikiy, Thomas Frank, Andy Georgeson, Roger Higbee, Anita Houston-Castor, Brent Kightlinger, Janet Kuehl, Rick Lightbody, Dan McGuire, Colin McIntyre, Ed McKaveney, Trent Millum, Dean Newhouse, Lee Perry, Nathan Rees, Eric Schill, Ryder Shelley, Luke Slezak, Megan Slezak, Tay Stefanko, Dennis Trapnell, Carole Winslow.
Compiler: Amy Taracido
Tuesday, 6 October 2026 through Tuesday, 13 October 2026
**This report is distributed by e-mail only. Compiler is not responsible for errors on websites who reproduce/reprint these reports. If you would like to receive western PA RBAs, contact AMYTARACIDO@ YAHOO.COM
Transcript-
NOTE: COMMON NIGHTHAWK, PINE SISKIN, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER continue to be reported.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY:
On 10/7 at Chapel Harbor, 1 PRAIRIE WARBLER (JD).
At Wingfield Pines on 10/8-10/9, 1 MARSH WREN (BK et. al.); also on 10/9, 1 additional MARSH WREN (LS); on 10/12, 1 MARSH WREN (via Ebird); on 10/13, 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (TC), 1 MARSH WREN (DN).
On 10/9 at North Park, 1 MARSH WREN (AG), 1 additional MARSH WREN (MS); on 10/10, 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (TS), 1 MARSH WREN (EM); on 10/11, 1 MARSH WREN (DB).
On 10/10 at Hartwood Acres, 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (CM).
At Pine Community Park on 10/10, 2 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS (LP).
On 10/10 in Cedarhurst, 1 DICKCISSEL (RS).
At Thornburg Conservation Park on 10/12, 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (DD).
BUTLER COUNTY:
On 10/13 at Moraine State Park, 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (AHC).
CLARION COUNTY:
On 10/6 and 10/11-10/12 in Sligo, 1 RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (CW).
Near Lucinda on 10/8, 1 BOBOLINK (ES).
ERIE COUNTY:
At Presque Isle on 10/7-10/8 and 10/10, 1 GLOSSY IBIS (TF et. al.); on 10/10, 1 GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (KMA); on 10/12, 3 RED-NECKED GREBES (RL).
FAYETTE COUNTY:
Over Farmington on 10/8, 1 GOLDEN EAGLE (DT).
On 10/13 in Spring Valley, 1 PHILADELPHIA VIREO (DM).
GREENE COUNTY:
On 10/7-10/8 at State Gamelands #223, 1 NELSON'S SPARROW (NR et. al.).
INDIANA COUNTY:
At Yellow Creek State Park on 10/6 and 10/8, 1 STILT SANDPIPER (RH, TM).
WASHINGTON COUNTY:
On 10/10 at Cross Creek County Park, 2 MARSH WRENS (via Ebird).
At Mingo Creek Park on 10/13, 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (AG).
WESTMORELAND COUNTY:
On 10/9 at Pleasant Valley Park, 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (MC).
North of Export on 10/10, 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (JK).
Date: 10/20/26 10:48 am From: Amy Taracido <amytaracido...> Subject: RBA western Pennsylvania, 6 October 2026
RBA
*Pennsylvania
*Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania
*PAWE10.06.26
Highlights:
TRUMPETER SWAN
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (Clarion County)
AMERICAN AVOCET (Fayette County)
STILT SANDPIPER (Indiana and Venango Counties)
GLOSSY IBIS (Erie County)
COMMON TERN
AMERICAN BITTERN
MARSH WREN
VEERY
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (Clarion County)
LINCOLN'S SPARROW (Clarion and Venango Counties)
NELSON'S SPARROW (Greene and Westmoreland Counties)
CANADA WARBLER
CONNECTICUT WARBLER (Allegheny County)
MOURNING WARBLER (Allegheny County)
WILSON'S WARBLER
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH
Contributors: Nolan Adrian, Jennifer Balsiger, Romina Bauer, Ken Behrens, Jason Bojczyk, Martin Carlin, Liz Carlson, Bill Dell, Adrian Fenton, Arlene Gmitter, Sarah Grey, Eric Hall, Amy Henrici, Roger Higbee, Charlotte Hood, Brian Kaldorf, Collin M. via Ebird, Dan Mendenhall, Ben Munkres, Nathan Rees, Jerry Stanley, Russ States, Gregory Tomb, Carole Winslow.
Compiler: Amy Taracido
Tuesday, 29 September 2026 through Tuesday, 6 October 2026
**This report is distributed by e-mail only. Compiler is not responsible for errors on websites who reproduce/reprint these reports. If you would like to receive western PA RBAs, contact AMYTARACIDO@ YAHOO.COM
Transcript-
NOTE: YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, PINE SISKIN, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER continue to be reported.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY:
At Harrison Hills Park on 9/30, 2 VEERIES (AH).
On 9/30 in Hays Woods, 1 CONNECTICUT WARBLER (BM).
In North Park on 10/2-10/4, 1 MOURNING WARBLER (DM et. al.); on 10/6, 1 MARSH WREN (AF).
On 10/4 near South Park, 1 AMERICAN BITTERN, 1 VEERY (KB).
At Wingfield Pines on 10/4-10/5, 1 MARSH WREN (CM).
On 10/5 at Chapel Harbor, 1 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (SG).
BUTLER COUNTY:
At Moraine State Park on 9/29, 1 COMMON TERN (MC); on 9/30, 1 CANADA WARBLER (JB).
CLARION COUNTY:
In Sligo on 10/3, 1 AMERICAN BITTERN, 20-25 GRAY CHEEKED THRUSH calls, 1 WINTER WREN, 2 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS; through 10/5, 1 RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (CW).
ERIE COUNTY:
At Presque Isle State Park on 10/4 and 10/7, 1 GLOSSY IBIS (LC, BK); also on 10/4, 1 WILSON'S WARBLER (JB).
FAYETTE COUNTY:
On 9/30 in Mill Run, 1 CANADA WARBLER (RB).
Along Duck Pond Road on 10/2, 4 AMERICAN AVOCETS (AG et. al.)
GREENE COUNTY:
On 9/30 and 10/5 at State Gamelands #223, 1 MARSH WREN; also on 10/5, 1 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH; on 10/6, 1 NELSON'S SPARROW (NR).
INDIANA COUNTY:
Southwest of Vintondale on 10/4, 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (GT).
On 10/6 at Yellow Creek State Park, 1 STILT SANDPIPER (RH et. al.).
MERCER COUNTY:
On 10/1 in the State Gamelands #284 area, 3 TRUMPETER SWANS (NA).
VENANGO COUNTY:
At Justus Lake on 10/2, 1 STILT SANDPIPER (JS).
On 10/2 near Kahle Lake, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER (JS).
At Two Mile Run on 10/4, sightings included 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 1 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, 1 AMERICAN PIPIT (RS), 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW (reported to RS).
WESTMORELAND COUNTY:
On 10/4-10/5 at Donegal Lake, 1 NELSON'S SPARROW (EH, BD et. al.).
At Powdermill Nature Reserve on 10/5, 1 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (CH).
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Nancy Ott
Observers: Ed Gowarty,Sr, Greg Gdula, Jim Rocco
Visitors: 9 visitors.
Weather: Sunny beautiful day, clear skies, mild east winds with highest gust 10 mph. Temp in the 50's.
Raptor Observations: 51 total raptors for the day with some good looks and some difficult ones due to blue sky. 14 eagles 12 GE and 2 BE. Ad GE-9:53,12:08,12:18,12:31,1:44,2:46,3:04. Juv-GE 12:14,12:14(together),1:55,1:55,1:55(west side watch, interacting, then flew south). Juv BE 12:12, Ad BE 1:39.
Non-raptor Observations: Chickadees, tufted titmouse, pileated wp, nuthatch, blue jays, robin, blue birds, cedar waxwings, ravens. Cabbage white and white admiral butterfly.
Predictions: Sunny again with temps 50-60 and NW to NE winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Nancy Ott (<ednancy.ott...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Chris Pugliese, Tom Bush
Observers: Alan Simon, Chris Pugliese
Weather: A tough day for viewing. No clouds materialized. Light NE wind. Temperatures started in the mid-40s and climbed to the mid-60s F.
Raptor Observations: A slow day. The migrants were flying very high in the deep blue sky so it's likely at least some were missed.
Non-migrating locals: BV, BE,RS, TV, RT, SS, CH
Non-raptor Observations: DC Cormorant:1 Common Raven:2 Great Blue Heron:1 Am Crow: 70 Tree Swallow: 60
Predictions: Warmer but otherwise a lot like today. NWS has no promise of clouds. Sunny, with a high near 70. North wind 10 to 15 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Eberly (<david.eberly...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 19, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 12:30:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter:
Observers:
Visitors: About 30 visitors today, mostly a group of middle schoolers led by Mr. Byer again. A really great group that was super excited by wooly bears and stick insects in the absence of birds.
Weather: Clear all day, light north wind in the morning that became very still within a hours. 39-62 degrees F.
Raptor Observations: Very little movement today, probably due to the lack of much wind. Today�s field trip kids were getting sick of only seeing turkey vultures, when as they were lining up to leave two black vultures made very close loops overhead. I haven�t seen middle schoolers cheer that hard since my last day of 8th grade.
Non-raptor Observations: PINE SISKIN flyover, plus a flock of LESSER SCAUP that I initially thought were gadwall!
Predictions: Clear, with a high of 68 and north wind 5-10 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Date: 10/19/26 4:42 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (19 Oct 2026) 59 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 19, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Sue Dibble
Observers: Rosemary Spreha, Sharon Rannels, Steve Rannels
Visitors: 5 for view
Weather: Blues skies all day. 33-65 degrees with a little frost first thing in the morning. Very light winds from the north.
Raptor Observations: Male Northern Harrier gave us good, close looks in the morning. Sharpies started out below eye level and were disappearing in the blue sky by afternoon. Migrating Bald Eagles, 6 adults, 2 immatures
Non-migrating raptors: 1 adult, 2 immature Bald Eagles. A Cooper's Hawk dipped in over the bird feeders and continued east. 3 RTs, 6 BVs and several TVs.
Non-raptor Observations: Very little songbird activity. RC Kinglets, WT Sparrows, Yellow Rump warblers. 3 Ravens Monarchs - 2
Predictions: Sunny and 70 degrees ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Date: 10/19/26 4:28 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (19 Oct 2026) 169 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 19, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 48 1534 1534 OS 0 17 181 BE 2 202 617 NH 1 49 95 SS 77 3089 4666 CH 7 221 350 AG 0 0 0 RS 5 24 40 BW 0 9 7930 RT 19 283 674 RL 0 0 0 GE 2 9 11 AK 1 58 184 ML 2 82 119 PG 0 31 44 UA 2 16 24 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 1 1 UR 3 18 54
Sub-adult GOEA at 10:30 low on N side and immature (1st/2nd year) at 13:24 high directly above the ridge.
Non-raptor Observations: Monarchs: 2 LFE: 5 Blue Jays: 15 Siskins: 105 Goldfinches: 12 House Finches: 20
A raven went at the owl for a few minutes.
Predictions: Low to moderate N/NNE wind, sunny. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Observation start time: 06:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Compiler: Bracken Brown
Counters: Himani Singh Khati, Rich Rieger
Visitors: 167
Weather: Clear with light northerly breeze throughout the morning 0-8mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: migrants were on a north to south trajectory with distant views. Nice flock of migrating turkey vultures in the middle of the day.
Non-raptor Observations: Excellent pine siskin flight(392). great horned owl, northern flicker, red-headed woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, eastern phoebe, American crow, winter wren, golden-crowned and ruby-crowned kinglet, hermit thrush
Predictions: Clear high of 68 and north wind 5-10mph should yield similar flight to today. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Connor Schmitt
Observers: Greg Grove
Visitors: Couple families enjoying the weather
Weather: sunny and mid to high 50s. Little to no wind.
Raptor Observations: Slow day
Non-raptor Observations: Non raptors: Red bellied woodpecker, Downy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, blue jays, ravens, chickadee, Ruby and golden crowned kinglets, RB and WB nuthatches, creeper, starlings, robins, bluebird, waxwings, goldfinch, juncos. Warblers: Yellow-rump
Predictions: another snoozer ======================================================================== Report submitted by Connor Schmitt (<cschmitts12...>)
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:15:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Ed Sinkler
Observers: Brett White
Visitors: Brett worked the South Lookout greeting 161 visitors and engaging with 68 visitors. There were varying degrees of interest in the count, but we met some very enthusiastic people that helped with spotting birds in the very blue sky without any clouds. Thank you to those that helped spot birds and to Larry for his late day spotting.
North Lookout 9 South Lookout 161 with 68 engagements
Weather: Max visibility was 30 miles throughout the count period with 0% cloud cover. Winds ranged from a high of 7 to a low 1 mph. The wind began the day out of the WNW, then NE, then ESE then S and finally SW. Temperatures ranged from 35 degrees to 57 degrees F.
The count began at the North Lookout, but moved to the South Lookout at 1200 as the winds shifted.
Raptor Observations: Bald Eagle (I) 1120 Golden Eagle (I) 1238
Predictions: Areas of frost before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Emily Sandly
Observers: Doug Wood, Perry Hoover
Weather: Light N/NNE winds throughout the day. Clear, blue skies. High temp for the day at the hawkwatch was 55 degrees.
Raptor Observations: Early morning birds were low and fiercely flapping past. Scattered across both sides of the lookout. 2/3 year sub GOEA @ 0958 Juvenile or possible 1 year sub GOEA @ 1110
Predictions: More clear, sunny days ahead. Similar early morning cold. More sustained N winds tomorrow, around 8-9mph ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kittatinny counter/l goodrich (<goodrich...>)
Date: 10/18/26 4:48 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (18 Oct 2026) 95 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 47 1486 1486 OS 0 17 181 BE 3 200 615 NH 0 48 94 SS 17 3012 4589 CH 1 214 343 AG 0 0 0 RS 3 19 35 BW 0 9 7930 RT 18 264 655 RL 0 0 0 GE 1 7 9 AK 3 57 183 ML 0 80 117 PG 0 31 44 UA 0 14 22 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 0 0 UR 2 15 51
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Erika Bowman
Observers: Dave Poder, Ed Gowarty,Sr
Visitors: Many wonderful visitors from several different states. Kim & Shelley Bates, Ann Nomney (Baltimore, MD), Daniel & Mary Lou Dorsen (E. Greenwich Twp. NJ), Tammy Frich & Dan Scandrol (PGH), Ken & Jenn Zakraysek, Jack, Debbie, Hattie, Jess & Eli Traup (Rockwood, PA, Tim Dabbs & Courtney Custer (Johnstown, PA)
Weather: Not a cloud with light, ESE winds
Raptor Observations: Bald Eagles Sub Adult 11:16 Unknown Age 2:58 Non-migrating Adult Bald heading North Calling Red-shouldered in the West
Non-raptor Observations: N Flicker, Blue Jay, C Raven, BC Chickadee, T Titmouse, WB Nuthatch, E Bluebird, C Waxwing, A Goldfinch
Cabbage White
Predictions: More the same but a little warmer. A mainly sunny sky. High 64F. Winds light and variable. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Erika Bowman (<dizzechick...>)
Date: 10/18/26 3:00 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (18 Oct 2026) 24 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 13:45:00 Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: Andy Francis, Thom Kurtz
Observers: Andy Francis, Jay George, Linda McKinne, Mike McKinne, Nancy Clupper
Visitors: 17 vista viewers
Weather: Temperature range 39 to 60 degrees F. Zero cloud cover. Light winds out of the NNW and switched in late morning to ESE.
Raptor Observations: Two non-migrating adult Bald Eagles.
Non-raptor Observations: RB Woodpecker, Pileated WP, Flicker, American Crow, Raven, Blue Jay Turkeys on the road up, and 4 unident gulls.
Predictions: Temperature range similar but slightly warmer. Full sun. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.83 hours
Compiler: Greg George
Counters: David Barber, Himani Singh Khati, Rob Feldman
Visitors: 737
Weather: Clear, cloudless skies, winds 1-7 mph but variable.
Raptor Observations: Four adult bald eagles circling together, but none of them ever migrated through. Stunning look at close male harrier.
Non-raptor Observations: red-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, golden-crowned and ruby-crowned kinglets, eastern towhee, dark-eyed junco, common grackle, rusty blackbird, purple finch, pine siskin, American goldfinch
Predictions: Sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 3 hours
Official Counter: Chris Pugliese
Observers:
Visitors: Greg Nichols
Weather: Temperatures ranged mid 40s to low 50sF. NE breeze. A deep blue sky without clouds made viewing conditions "impossible" according to the counter.
Raptor Observations: An early push of Turkey Vultures was not sustained.
Local raptors RT, BV,BE
Non-raptor Observations: American Crow:30 Common Raven:1 DC Cormorant:1
Predictions: Mid-40s at the start rising to the mid 60s in the afternoon. Sunny with a few clouds. Light NE winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Eberly (<david.eberly...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Phil Keener
Observers: Craig McCoy, Mike Sankovich, Randy Phillips
Visitors: ~ 40, some asking about the migration.
Weather: Consistently strong WNW winds, Temp - 9-10C (48-50F), cloud cover starting at 80% with gradual clearing starting at 1200 hrs with only 5% cloud cover by end of watch, good visibility.
Raptor Observations: A mix of flight heights with some sharpies being very high. Vulture movement noted today with set wings quartering into WNW winds and headed SW. Great kiting day for local red-taileds.
Non-raptor Observations: Very strong Canada Goose movement with 24 skeins noted with largest group being ~ 60 birds. American Crow flock of ~ 90 birds and some tree swallows.
Monarchs - 2
Predictions: High temp of 60F, full sun, and southerly winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Parks Volunteer (<parks...>)
Date: 10/17/26 4:52 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (17 Oct 2026) 1153 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 923 1439 1439 OS 1 17 181 BE 30 197 612 NH 4 48 94 SS 94 2995 4572 CH 21 213 342 AG 0 0 0 RS 4 16 32 BW 0 9 7930 RT 67 246 637 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 6 8 AK 5 54 180 ML 2 80 117 PG 0 31 44 UA 0 14 22 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 0 0 UR 2 13 49
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 11 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove, Paul Fritz
Observers: Dave Grove, Ezra Pugh, Gene Wagner, Glenn Mitzel, Ian Hess, Jason Pugh, Joe Sabo, Jon Gere, Laura Minnich, Regina Gaison
Visitors: 68
Weather: Blustery NW winds all day, early morning entire sky cloudy, end of day few clouds.
Raptor Observations: First bird SS 6:37 Last bird RT 4:50
Multiple large streams of TVs broke the daily record of 508.
Non-raptor Observations: Monarchs 4, LFE 48, Raven carrying food item in bill. ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (<waggap...>)
Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: Bob Stewart
Observers:
Visitors: approximately 40. including the "Haunted Reliabity Run" participants involving many antique vehicles: John Borek, Emily Borek, Brooke Bou,Larry Detesta, Mary Esther DeTesta, Kyle Blake, Steve & Sandi Parsons, Jenasis Ritenour and Thomas Borek of Connellsville, Scott from the Fort Pitt Land Rover Group-Pittsburgh, Buster & Sara Pile 40+ visitors Joseph, James, and Andrew Rumford of Indiana, Pa. Joshua Miller, Amy Miller, Olivia Miller, Samuel Miller, and Ezra Miller -all of Somerset, Pa. Donnie Griggs & Ladawn Briggs, Crown Point, Indiana. Richard Sturtz, Stoystown; Bib Wilson, Linda Misera and Ed Puskar of Deer Lakes, Jakeb Rosny of Windber, and Ean Jaber of Johnstown, Pa/.
Weather: 100% cloud cover decreasing to 10% by noon. Wind out of the NNW with average velocity of 10 mph. Very cold in AM starting with 1.9 degrees C. Increasing in afternoon to 6 degrees C. Snow at various locations in the valley in the early morning. Clear with visibility to 44 km.
Non-raptor Observations: crows, ravens, tufted titmouse, black-capped chickadee, blue jays.
Predictions: Mostly sunny.-blue sky. High of 57 degrees F. Winds light and variable. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Stewart (<bstewart...>)
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Brett White
Observers: Guitar Dave , Paul Nale, Travis Rennig
Visitors: 31 Total Visitors (13 Engaged).
ADDITIONAL OBSERVERS: Ken Sabo and Sharon Hofmann.
Weather: Cold, mostly cloudy conditions dominated the day, with temperatures holding in the mid-to-upper 40s�F and visibility around 30 miles. Strong NNW to N winds were a major feature, with gusts reaching about 30 mph, while cloud cover gradually decreased from near 100% early to around 30% by afternoon.
Raptor Observations: While setting up the owl pole for the day at the North Lookout, an adult bald eagle heading northwest was being mobbed by roughly 30 crows overhead (07:02).
Predictions: Widespread frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 59. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 11 hours
Compiler: Scott Morrison
Counters: Aaron Shirk, Andy Price, Andy Wlasniewski, Bracken Brown, Chris Arndt, Dave Kruel, Jason Deeter
Visitors: 638
Weather: Overcast in the morning becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. Steady NW to WNW wind throughout the day. Winds were steady at 15mph dropping to 5mph in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Good flight diversity with good looks at peregrine falcon, merlin, sharp-shinned and cooper's hawk. One golden eagle didn't end up passing the lookout.
Non-raptor Observations: Great waterbird flight throughout the morning. canada geese (1736), double-crested cormorant (284), common loon (22), ring-billed gull, tree swallow (786), american robin, dark-eyed junco, purple finch, American goldfinch.
Predictions: Sunny with a high of 60, North winds at 5mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Doug Wood
Observers: Ed Barrell, Karen Hardy, Scott Fisher
Weather: Strong north winds all day, but not the flight we were expecting; Blue skies at 1300 onward
Raptor Observations: BE Ad 0631,0822,0828,0928(2),0944,1001,1213,1215 BE Unk 0641(2),1045 BE 2YR 0707 BE Imm 0747,0904,1458 BE 3YR 0955 BE Juv 1113 GE Unk 0858 PG Ad 0919,1321 PG Unk 1003
GE S/A 1246 - not counted, out NE
Non-raptor Observations: Monarch 1 CAGO 710+ COLO 2 BLJA 5 TRES 32 DCCO 4 N Pintail 7 Gr Egret 1 DEJU,WTSP,RCKI,PALM,YRWA,BHVI,YBCU ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kittatinny counter/l goodrich (<goodrich...>)
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 3.5 hours
Official Counter: Chris Pugliese
Observers: Alan Simon, Dave Eberly
Weather: A blustery morning with heavy clouds, steady north winds, chilly despite temperatures in the 60sF.
The count ended at 1 pm EDT.
Raptor Observations: A pretty slow day. A late Broad-winged Hawk (adult) spotted in the first hour.
Our local Merlin made a few passes. Other local raptors: RT, BV, TV, BE, CH
Non-raptor Observations: Some Canada geese on the move, DC Cormorant: 7 Tree Swallow: 12 Common Raven:1 American Crow:45 A single flock of about 30 Fish crows moved through.
Predictions: A cold start with temperatures in the upper 30s rising to the 50s. Sunny skies with cloud cover <20%. Wind NE 5-10mph
======================================================================== Report submitted by David Eberly (<david.eberly...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 16, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 10:30:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 4.75 hours
Official Counter: Rick Morrissey
Observers:
Visitors: Three, pretty much back to back, then total serenity. An interesting experience indeed.
Weather: A total ridge top fog that was predicted to subside by mid-day which ironically did not happen until I was off the mountain and headed home. The low temperature was 59F, the high temperature of 69F was at 1300 EST. Winds were SSW 3-6 mph before noon, then 2-3 mph in the afternoon. Visibility never changed, about 500 feet.
Raptor Observations: Two Sharpshin Hawks at 1130 EST were hunting on the rim of the bowl, a female and male based on size for the only activity for the day.
Non-raptor Observations: I could hear Ravens, active Pileated WPs, and a few flocks of geese which told me that away from the South Lookout there was 'life' out there.
Predictions: Cloudy in the morning, then becoming mostly sunny. Much cooler with highs in the lower 50's. North winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Wow, buckle and button up, could be a great flight day! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: John Mercer
Observers: Chuck Root
Visitors: Rob
Weather: Foggy start that didn't lift fully until after noon, finally could see the hillside 3 miles away at 1220. The wind was from SSW to SW 8 to 11 mph making it a cool morning. By quitting time, it warmed into the mid 70's and almost no clouds left.
Raptor Observations: A local Cooper's came up in the fog at 9:30 and later, still in fog, two groups of TV. Other than the vultures, the migrants didn't start until fog cleared. Locals: CH, TV, BV, and RT
Non-raptor Observations: A flock of Canada Geese and another of Double-crested Cormorant.Did a checklist for part of the day. Checklist S402845392
Predictions: The forecast early in the week looked very promising, NW wind 10 mph, but now it has shifted to N 12 to 14 mph with clouds until noon and temperatures only making it into the low 50's. Maybe the front coming through tonight will push birds to us. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Observation start time: 10:30:00 Observation end time: 14:15:00 Total observation time: 3.75 hours
Official Counter: Jon Kauffman
Observers: Meredith Sweatlock
Visitors: A couple stopped by on their way to the Florida panhandle, two hikers stopped to chat for a few minutes.
Meredith Sweatlock was official counter.
Weather: Clouds were below the ridge with clear skies above when I arrived in the AM, and then cleared up until right before the storms at 2:30. WSW winds all day.
Raptor Observations: 10 TUVU, 4 BLVU, and 1 RTHA not counted
Lots of flies, stinkbugs, and gnats ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jon Kauffman (<jvk5019...>)
Date: 10/16/26 2:12 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (16 Oct 2026) 3 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 16, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 516 516 OS 0 16 180 BE 0 167 582 NH 0 44 90 SS 2 2901 4478 CH 0 192 321 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 12 28 BW 0 9 7930 RT 1 179 570 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 6 8 AK 0 49 175 ML 0 78 115 PG 0 31 44 UA 0 14 22 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 11 47
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove, Tom Filip
Observers: Brandon Brogle, Dave Grove, Ezra Pugh, Gene Wagner, Jason Pugh, Pete Biasucci , Tom Filip
Visitors: 44 Curt Westrich
PGC had their ribbon cutting ceremony today. Seth Mesoras, the Southcentral Regional Director, gave the presentation and Senator Greg Rothman came up to cut the ribbon along with Representative Perry Stambaugh.
A big class of Mennonite kids came up later.
Weather: Moderate SSW/SW wind. Dense fog for most of the day, sky became visible around 13:00. Thunderstorm at 1500 ended the count.
Raptor Observations: First SS 1:38 Last RT 2:14
Non-raptor Observations: A Wilson's Snipe flew through the fog early in the morning.
Predictions: Moderate N/NNW wind. Mostly cloudy in the morning, Partly cloudy in the afternoon. Could be a good day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (<waggap...>)
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Compiler: Mitchell Pruitt
Counters:
Visitors: 155
Weather: Foggy most of the day with some drizzle. Light southwest winds.
Raptor Observations: Few raptors observed late in the afternoon during a brief clear weather period.
Non-raptor Observations: Morning songbird flight was slow in the fog, but Barred and Northern Saw-whet Owls were exciting observations.
Predictions: Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Dave Poder
Observers: Barb Carrier, Ed Gowarty,Sr, Greg Gdula, Joe Carrier, Nancy Ott, Paul Fritz, Regina Gaison, Sandy Cline
Visitors: Eleven
Weather: Cloudy, valley haze, constant moderate easterly winds, ave. temp 11C, rain at 2:30 ended the count
Raptor Observations: BE ad @ 10;42, 11:21, 11:33, 12:27 BE sub @ 11:09, 11:23, 11:34 BE juv @ 11:36, 12:11 GE juv @11:10, 11:24, 11:28
SS 231, RT 46, NH 3 20 Falcons counted: AK 9, ML 4, PG 5, UF 2
Non-raptor Observations: BC Chickadees, WB Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Cedar Waxwings, A Goldfinches, E Towhees, Robins, Red-bellied, Pileated wp, N Flickers, C Ravens, Blue Jays
Predictions: SW winds, rain possible in morning, rain likely mid-afternoon ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Poder (<avions...>)
Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Connor Schmitt
Observers: Nick Bolgiano, Ron Crandall
Visitors: Pair of sisters from big valley
Weather: Mostly sunny with the last hour being overcast. Slightly chilly with weak winds.
Raptor Observations: Harrier (female)
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptor species: Woodpeckers: Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, Pileated, Flicker. Blue-headed Vireo, Blue Jay, Crow, Ravens, Chickadees, Tree Swallow, Ruby and Golden crowned kinglets, WB Nuthatch, Starlings, Hermit Thrush, Robins, Waxwings, Pine Siskin, Goldfinch, Juncos, Towhee. Warblers: Blackpolls, Yellow-rumps.
LFE: 5
Predictions: Scattered showers with high winds from the SW ======================================================================== Report submitted by Connor Schmitt (<cschmitts12...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Chuck Root, Craig Hedlund
Observers: Alan Simon, Bob Kelly, Chuck Root
Weather: Temperature range: upper 50s to mid 60sF. Winds from the NE in morning and turned easterly later. A gentle breeze all day. No clouds until a few showed up in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Another push of Turkey Vultures. Red-tails starting to move.
Non-migrating local raptors: One adult and one 2nd year Bald Eagle. CH, RT, RS.
Non-raptor Observations: 47 migrating Canada Geese Common Raven 2 DC Cormorants An Eastern Bluebird perched on a counter's scope.
Predictions: Morning rain possible (60%). Unfavorable SW winds later. Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
======================================================================== Report submitted by David Eberly (<david.eberly...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Date: 10/15/26 5:19 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (15 Oct 2026) 178 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 54 516 516 OS 1 16 180 BE 16 167 582 NH 4 44 90 SS 48 2899 4476 CH 11 192 321 AG 0 0 0 RS 5 12 28 BW 0 9 7930 RT 22 178 569 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 6 8 AK 3 49 175 ML 8 78 115 PG 3 31 44 UA 0 14 22 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 0 0 UR 3 11 47
Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9.08 hours
Official Counter: Tom Filip
Observers: Ashley Thomas, Debbie Spinelli, Gary LaBelle, Gene Wagner, Pete Biasucci
Visitors: 36
Weather: Moderate NNE wind in the morning shifting to low SE wind by the end. Mostly sunny, some clouds at the end and light rain started around 16:50.
An AMKE and a MERL were seen fighting at the end of the day, both went down into the trees. The AMKE landed on the snag between the mid-slope pine and upper pine for 15+ minutes. It eventuality flew to the upper pine and was still there when we left.
In the last hour we had a burst of 3 MERL together, then 2 with a SSHA, 1 by itself, and 1 that wasn't counted with the AMKE.
Non-raptor Observations: Monarch: 15 LFE: 19 Blue Jays: 102 Red-breasted Nuthatch: 1 Fence Lizards: 2 Taylor Swift out of Teterboro
Predictions: Moderate SSW/SW wind. Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain very early in the morning and later in the evening. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Date: 10/15/26 4:23 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (15 Oct 2026) 64 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.25 hours
Official Counter: Sue Dibble
Observers: Bruce Carl, Sharon Rannels, Steve Rannels
Visitors: 8 for the view 2 workers surveying the Gap boundary
Weather: Another beautiful fall day. 50-65 degrees. Light winds started from the north and eventually ended up from the south. Clouds varied from no clouds at all to 100% cloud cover.
Raptor Observations: Most early birds were high and distant over Blue Mountain and difficult to identify. When the winds shifted to the south, it brought the birds closer to us. Only 1 adult Bald Eagle counted today. Several local BEs observed.
Non-raptor Observations: 2 Yellow-billed cuckoos, 5 Blue-headed vireos, female purple finch, 5 warbler species. Bruce had flyover Pine Siskins, Woodcock and Am Pipit
Monarch 1
Predictions: Scattered afternoon thunderstorms expected ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Brett White, Travis Rennig
Visitors: 26 visitors today, including another field trip from Salisbury Middle School led by Mr. Byer. The kids today were super into it! Every vulture had them pointing, shouting out directions and field marks, ooh-ing and ahh-ing, the works. Unfortunately not much in the way of migrating raptors, but we did see a couple red tails, sharpies, and a very distant eagle. Joined today by Brett White and Travis Dennig.
Weather: 55-63 degrees F, cloudy to completely clear in the afternoon, light east wind that briefly was northeast in the morning.
Not many birds in the tailwind today. Flight seemed much more skewed to heavier birds, despite conventional wisdom saying they�re more inclined to move on windier days.
Non-raptor Observations: HORNED LARK flyover! I had merlin running and caught one calling, vindicating my suspected horned lark call a few days ago. I also had a small, short tailed, heavy billed passerine flying awkwardly that I immeadiately thought looked like a Nelson�s sparrow or something similar, but not nearly a good enough look to say. One unidentified shorebird as well.
Also, Brett saw a huge black bear while hiking down near the north lookout! Travis and I noticed some snake activity on the trail on the way up, and a fritillary sp. briefly stopped by.
Predictions: South wind with rain likely throughout the morning and later afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.67 hours
Compiler: David Barber
Counters: Sarah Grace Ferber
Visitors: 246
Weather: Overcast with clearing in the afternoon, N winds early shifting to NE then E then SE in the afternoon. Winds were light, 4-7 mph
Raptor Observations: Eagles struggled to get lift late in the day with birds passing the lookout below eye level.
Non-raptor Observations: red-bellied woodpecker, blue headed vireo, tree swallow, brown creeper, red-breasted nuthatch, ruby-crowned kinglet, American robin, Cape May, yellow-rumped and black-throated green warblers, dark-eyed junco, common grackle, purple finch
Predictions: Showers and thunderstorms before 4pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 4pm. High near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Craig Hedlund, Debbie Beer
Observers:
Weather: A warm cloudy day with light SW winds that picked up a bit and turned westerly after a mid day rain shower. The afternoon temperature reached 79�F.
Raptor Observations: A few migrants moved through after the rain. A low-flying Osprey after the rain was recorded as a migrant.
Non-migrating raptors: RT, ML, BV, TV
Non-raptor Observations: one Ring-billed Gull seen after the rain.
Predictions: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Eberly (<david.eberly...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Date: 10/14/26 5:16 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (14 Oct 2026) 111 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 14, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Ed Chubb
Observers: Joe Meloney, Steve Rannels
Visitors: A couple from Florida made the trek to the mountain on the advice of someone at Middlecreek. They were given the story of our hawkwatch and efforts to provide count data to HMANA. They were involved in raptor research by monitoring Bald Eagles in their home state. Believe they were impressed by our work and hawk watch.
Weather: Partial to total cloud cover all day with temps in the high 50's to near 80. Winds variable throughout the day with speeds starting in the single digits but reaching into the mid 20's till afternoon. Rain not an issue.
Raptor Observations: Nine species were seen today with a trifecta of falcons. A spectacular show by an afternoon Peregrine was the highlight of the day. The day started out rather slowly but at mid day Sharp-shinned numbers began to improve and made up more than half of the days count.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions: May be a better chance of some rain tomorrow but some forecasts say not. Warmer temps are being suggested with light and variable winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Date: 10/14/26 4:38 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (14 Oct 2026) 340 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 14, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 50 462 462 OS 3 15 179 BE 6 151 566 NH 4 40 86 SS 246 2851 4428 CH 18 181 310 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 7 23 BW 0 9 7930 RT 1 156 547 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 6 8 AK 1 46 172 ML 4 69 106 PG 5 29 42 UA 1 14 22 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 0 0 UR 1 8 44
Non-raptor Observations: Monarch: 1 Tiger Swallowtail: 1 Great Spangled Fritillary: 1 LFE: 4 Blue Jays: 33 Red-breasted Nuthatch: 1
Predictions: Low to moderate NE wind in the morning shifting to SE by the end, partly cloudy. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 14, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers:
Visitors: About 35 visitors today, mostly from a field trip out of Salisbury Middle School - a very fun group of kids to hang out with. Mr. Byers' dry humor kept us entertained in between action. The boy who was holding the yellow jacket made sure to tell me I was the man before leaving. Right back at you buddy!
Weather: 63-71 degrees F, intermittent light rain all day. Light west wind. Although overcast skies would dampen the view most of the day, the autumn forest was absolutely breathtaking this morning.
Raptor Observations: Some surprisingly big groups of sharpies in the rain, as many as 7 birds as a time, but had no birds for 90 minutes by the time the count ended, with more rain on the horizon.
The field trip kids got to see a peregrine falcon, which would have been super cool... except this was the lamest falcon encounter of all time. It kind of just hovered in the air, wing-on and very silhouetted so you could barely make out what it was, and then slowly let itself get blown north (so that one wasn't even countable). I never thought I'd see the day a bunch of eager kids would rather play in the dirt than see the fastest animal in the world, but it really wasn't giving us much. Hopefully other upcoming field trips have better luck!
Non-raptor Observations: Even if raptors were slow, the kids were thrilled by close looks at a yellow-billed cuckoo, ravens, tree swallows, and dragonflies. A couple young entomologists were picking up wooly bears and yellow jackets(!!) to show me. I had a few hermit thrushes on the way out.
Predictions: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Compiler: JF Therrien, Rebecca McCabe
Counters: Amber Wiewel, Hannah Upton, JF Therrien
Visitors: 328
Weather: Clear/partly-mostly cloudy/rain briefly/overcast. West winds 4-12 mph
Raptor Observations: Great looks at sharpies flying close to the lookout on the north side. Most below and at eye level. Merlin chasing a juvenile sharpie in front of the lookout.
Non-raptor Observations: Another light songbird flight similar to yesterday; 18 blue jays, 20 American goldfinch, 21 cedar waxwings, 75 American robins, 40 Canada geese.
Predictions: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Predictions: some form of light -moderate E winds;cloudy to partly cloudy;50-60F ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rosemary McGlynn (<rmcglynn...>)
Date: 10/14/26 12:34 pm From: Amy Taracido <amytaracido...> Subject: RBA western Pennsylvania, 29 September 2026
RBA
*Pennsylvania
*Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania
*PAWE09.29.26
Highlights:
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (Westmoreland County)
SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRD SP. (Clarion County)
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Somerset County)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Erie County)
FORSTER'S TERN
COMMON TERN
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Allegheny County)
LEAST BITTERN (Erie County)
PHILADELPHIA VIREO
MARSH WREN
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (Venango and Warren Counties)
VEERY
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Erie County)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH
Contributors: K. M. Andersen, David Avery, Nate B. via Ebird, Ken Behrens, David Bennett, Jason Bojczyk, Haley Buchanan, Sarah Calzada, Martin Carlin, Niklas Clifford, John Flannigan, Daeja Gomez, Meg Kolodick, Mike Lyden, Jackson Medeiros, Dan Mendenhall, Theo Rickert, Kathy Saunders, Joe Saxfield, Michael Saylor, Jerry Stanley, Mark Strittmatter, Kirk Szklenski, John Taylor, Sara Wetzel, Carole Winslow.
Compiler: Amy Taracido
Tuesday, 22 September 2026 through Tuesday, 29 September 2026
**This report is distributed by e-mail only. Compiler is not responsible for errors on websites who reproduce/reprint these reports. If you would like to receive western PA RBAs, contact AMYTARACIDO@ YAHOO.COM
Transcript-
NOTE: TUNDRA SWAN, BLACK VULTURE, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER continue to be reported.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY:
In Pittsburgh on 9/22, 1 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (HB).
On 9/23 and 9/25-9/29 at Wingfield Pines, 1 MARSH WREN (DB, DA et. al.); also on 9/26, 1 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (DM); also on 9/27 and 9/29, 1 additional MARSH WREN (NC, Ebird).
Near South Park on 9/26, 2 VEERIES (KB).
ARMSTRONG COUNTY:
On 9/28 south of Worthington, 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS (TR).
BUTLER COUNTY:
At Moraine State Park on 9/29, 1 COMMON TERN (MC).
CLARION COUNTY:
On 9/25 at State Gamelands #63, LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS, PINE WARBLERS (CW).
In Sligo on 9/26, 1 SELASPHORUS HUMMINGBIRD SP., WINTER WREN (CW).
ERIE COUNTY:
At Presque Isle State Park on 9/22, 1 BLACK-NECKED STILT (KS); on 9/23, 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (JB); on 9/25, 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (SC), 3 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS (JB); on 9/26, 1 TRUMPETER SWAN (KS), 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (MS), 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (JM).
On 9/23 in Glenwood Hills, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (ML).
Near Ravine Park on 9/26, 1 LEAST BITTERN (KMA).
INDIANA COUNTY:
At State Gamelands #332 on 9/23, 1 KENTUCKY WARBLER (MS).
On 9/24 at Yellow Creek State Park, 1 FORSTER'S TERN (JT).
MERCER COUNTY:
South of Mercer on 9/27, 2 TRUMPETER SWANS (DG).
SOMERSET COUNTY:
At Lost Creek Swamp on 9/24, 1 MARSH WREN (SW).
On 9/25 near New Centerville, 7 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS (SW).
VENANGO COUNTY:
In Buttermilk Hill on 9/25, 1 PHILADELPHIA VIREO, 1 GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH (JS).
On 9/29 in Seneca, 1 WINTER WREN (MK).
WARREN COUNTY:
Along Economite Road on 9/24, 1 PHILADELPHIA VIREO (CW).
On 9/24 near Tidioute, 3 GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES heard overhead; on 9/25, 20-25 GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH calls heard (CW).
WASHINGTON COUNTY:
At Cross Creek County Park on 9/25, 1 MARSH WREN (JF et. al.).
WESTMORELAND COUNTY:
At Powdermill Nature Reserve on 9/22, 1 RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (JS).
At Saint Vincent College on 9/26, 1 MARSH WREN (NB).
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:15:00 Total observation time: 6.25 hours
Official Counter: Jim Rocco
Observers: John Freund, Nancy Ott
Visitors: John Freund, Nancy Ott, Mike Wolfe, Perry & Marcy Russ, Sue and Art Weber from Ohio plus 8 other peole.
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Weather: Light to moderate winds from the (WSW). Average temperature 21 (c). Cloud cover went from 10% to 0%. Visibility was clear up to 30 km. with a haze across the valley.
Raptor Observations: 19 raptors counted for the day including one peregrine falcon. 8 red tail, 4 sharpies,1 coopers, 4tv's, 1 UB.
Non-raptor Observations: Tiger swallowtails, cloudless sulphers, cabbage whites and 2 monarchs. wb nuthatches, gc chicadees, waxwings, tufted titmouse, blue jays, ravens, and a brown creeper
Predictions: Warm with showers expected in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Stewart (<bstewart...>)
Date: 10/14/26 7:01 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (13 Oct 2026) 142 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 13, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours
Official Counter: Gayle Lawrence
Observers: Bruce Carl, Jay George
Visitors: 3 visitors + 2 men working at the site
Weather: Sunny and warm, 59-76�F (15-24�C). Nearly cloudless sky, with light to moderate wind from the SSE-S. Haze to the south limited visibility somewhat.
Raptor Observations: BEs seen - adults @ 10:15, 10:38, 11:15, 2 @ 1:30; immatures @ 11:02, 1:55. 2 adults & 2 immatures were circling together @ 1:55, but only one of the immatures was seen migrating; the others disappeared.
Non-raptor Observations: Bruce Carl reported seeing Downy, Hairy, Red-b, Pileated Woodpeckers; Y-b Sapsucker; Phoebe; Ruby- & Golden-c Kinglets; Red-b Nuthatch; House & Winter Wrens; Catbird; Pipits; N Junco; Wh-thr Sparrow; Towhee; R-w Blackbird; Grackle; Bay-br, Blackpoll, & Y-r Warblers; Blue Jays; Robin; N Ravens.
1 Monarch ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
At home, in Seneca, 10/12, 9 RED-TAILED HAWKS circling overhead. Also at home in Seneca, 10/13,1 BLUE-HEADED VIREO, 1 FEMALE EASTERN TOWHEE and 1 BLACKPOLL WARBLER.
Date: 10/13/26 4:45 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (13 Oct 2026) 327 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 13, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 98 412 412 OS 0 12 176 BE 12 145 560 NH 2 36 82 SS 191 2605 4182 CH 5 163 292 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 7 23 BW 0 9 7930 RT 13 155 546 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 6 8 AK 0 45 171 ML 3 65 102 PG 3 24 37 UA 0 13 21 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 7 43
Non-raptor Observations: Monarch: 2 LFE: 71 Blue Jays: 87 Horned Lark: 1 American Pipit: 2
Predictions: Low WSW wind in the morning shifting to moderate WNW wind in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, small chance of rain for an hour in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 13, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Judy Paterson, Travis Rennig
Visitors: 29 visitors at the south lookout today, talked to almost all of them. Joined by Judy Paterson, who was great company while waiting for the fog to lift, and Travis Rennig, plus his son and his friend. Special thanks to them for rescuing the owl decoy, which the wind blew to the bottom of the north lookout yesterday afternoon.
Weather: Very poor visibility until clearing up around 12:30 local time. 59-75 degrees F, light south wind.
Raptor Observations: Bald eagle (5): 1312i, 1316a, 1345a, 1345i
A couple close flyby sharpies kept Judy and I entertained in the fog, but the action really started once it cleared, opening with the closest osprey encounter we will ever have in our lives as they just about buzzed my hair with their talons. One decent candidate for one of my most wanted birds, an abieticola subspecies red-tailed, flew by low.
Brett, one of our beloved weekend counters, texted me at 1:41 that he just had an adult and subadult bald eagle pair fly over him down the ridge at the cell towers. About an hour later at 2:45, Travis and I had an adult and subadult eagle. If they were the same birds, it would mean it took the eagles about an hour to fly the ~5.5 mile distance in today's southerly crosswind. That would also mean they were only moving at about, well, 5.5 mph, so it's more likely it was a coincidence.
Also just wanted to share photos I'm excited about of an immature male harrier in front of the autumn foilage. Scott Keys told me recently about how you can sex young harriers by eye color! https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S402106482
Non-raptor Observations: 3 yellow-billed cuckoos! One on the trail and a pair at the lookout that hung out all day. I watched one eat a stick insect.
Also had hermit thrush, Swainson's thrush, sapsuckers, chipping sparrow, juncos, yellow-rumps, and a blackpoll.
Predictions: A slight chance of showers between 11am and 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Alan Simon, Chuck Root
Observers: Bob Kelly, Chuck Root
Visitors: Karen Serwatka, Robin Queenan
Weather: Temperatures climbed from the low 60s to upper70sF. Southwest winds all day. Clear blue skies with just a few clouds in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Four raptor species migrating dominated by Turkey Vultures and Sharp-shinned Hawks.
Local raptors: TV BV, CH, ML, RS, BE
Non-raptor Observations: Monarch butterflies: 3
Predictions: Clouds. Light westerly winds. A slight chance of a mid-day shower. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Eberly (<david.eberly...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 10.17 hours
Compiler: JF Therrien, Rebecca McCabe
Counters: Marcus Fennema, Mat�as Juhant
Visitors: 203
Weather: Overcast/mostly cloudy/haze. W/SW/VAR winds 6-11 km/h
Raptor Observations: Nice flight of sharpies throughout the afternoon. Fantastic looks at the two male northern harriers that passed by the lookout.
Non-raptor Observations: Light songbird flight today; 125 American robins, 30 blue jays, 19 American goldfinch, 18 common ravens, five species of woodpecker
Predictions: A slight chance of showers between 11am and 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 10:45:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 4.25 hours
Official Counter: Connor Schmitt
Observers: David Kyler, Ken Bowman, Trudy Kyler
Visitors: Trail runner, a local couple, and 3 hikers all stopped by briefly.
Weather: Late start to the day as the fog took all morning to lift. Luckily it eventually did. Overcast all day until the clouds broke up around 2-3pm. Good winds from the NW.
Raptor Observations: Slower day than expected.
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Ravens, Tree Swallows (~200). Starlings, Waxwings, Goldfinch. Warblers: Yellow-rump
Predictions: Southern winds, so probably a bit slow. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Connor Schmitt (<cschmitts12...>)
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Ruilin Yang
Visitors: 2 visitors today at the north lookout. Joined at the south lookout and then briefly at the north by Ruilin Yang, who was lots of fun to catch up with! Also lent my extra binoculars to a very cute toddler on my way out - he was convinced he would be able to see his house (which is in Virginia).
Weather: 57-69 degrees F, clear to partly cloudy, persistent NW wind. Instead of staying at around 0-3 mph and gusting in the high teens or low 20s, today's wind was a near constant 5-15 mph.
Not a bad day, but less migration than expected here given today's NW wind, with raptors coming in small bursts all day.
Non-raptor Observations: A couple yellow-rumped warblers, juncos, blue jays, tree swallows. The usual suspects. One weird flyover call that might have been a horned lark.
Predictions: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Date: 10/12/26 4:37 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (12 Oct 2026) 617 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 28 314 314 OS 1 12 176 BE 20 133 548 NH 2 34 80 SS 489 2414 3991 CH 41 158 287 AG 0 0 0 RS 1 7 23 BW 0 9 7930 RT 19 142 533 RL 0 0 0 GE 1 6 8 AK 1 45 171 ML 5 62 99 PG 2 21 34 UA 7 13 21 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 7 43
GOEA at 11:10, low on the N side, would have been missed if the PGC didn't cut the trees last week. Thanks to Jason for spotting and Ian for getting a photo.
Non-raptor Observations: Monarchs: 3 LFE: 6 Blue Jays: 27
Predictions: Low to moderate SW wind, mostly sunny. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Date: 10/12/26 4:34 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (12 Oct 2026) 115 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Raptor Observations: 5 adult and 2 immature Bald Eagles counted. An Adult Golden Eagle almost snuck through below eye level on the north until the quick maneuvers of the TVs caught my attention just in time.
An early Merlin popped in from the west and stirred up the Blue Jays before continuing east and not counted.
Non-raptor Observations: 200+ Blue Jays, Blue-headed vireos, Golden and Ruby Crowned Kinglets, 3 Sapsuckers, Yellow Rump warblers, and White throated sparrows
Predictions: Partly cloudy with south winds should make for a good day on the mountain. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Fred Paley, Randy Phillips
Observers: Ken Orvis, Randy Phillips
Visitors: 18 Visitors, 2 dogs.
Weather: Cool cloudy day, steady wind from the northwest 10 to 12 mph gusting to 22 mph. Cloud cover ranging from 40 % to 90 % with the clouds moving by rapidly.
Raptor Observations: Mostly sharp-shinned hawks, 4 Peregrines, 2 Coopers-Hawks, 3 Kestrels, 1 Harrier and 1 Merlin, migrating. 6 Bald Eagles riding on the winds, 4 adults, 2 immatures. At least 5 Red-tails hunting over the woods, and 1 Red-shouldered.
Non-raptor Observations: 2 Ravens, many Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures searching for food.
3 Monarchs
Predictions: Warmer not as windy, less clouds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Parks Volunteer (<parks...>)
Observation start time: 05:00:00 Observation end time: 18:00:00 Total observation time: 10.25 hours
Compiler: Bracken Brown
Counters: Himani Singh Khati, Sean Grace
Visitors: 297
Weather: Fog in the morning blew out by midmorning. Overcast to partly cloudy throughout the day with consistent NW/W winds 5-15mph
Raptor Observations: Really nice flight with fantastic looks at the falcon trifecta, including two adult peregrines passing overhead late in the day. Seven bald eagles interacted with each other for several hours moving up and down the ridge.
Non-raptor Observations: Great blue heron, ring-billed gulls, yellow-bellied sapsucker, downy woodpecker, northern flicker, blue jay, common raven (34), tree swallow (256), golden-crowned kinglet, yellow-rumped warbler, blackpoll warbler, white-throated sparrow, pine siskin
Predictions: Fog in the morning, sunny high of 78 light variable wind becoming southwest in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Chris Pugliese, Tom Bush
Observers: Alan Simon, Bob Kelly, Tom Bush
Visitors: Steve Camp, Dawson Sensing, Brian Clauser
Weather: Friendly skies and NW wind after a day of heavy rain. Temperatures mid 50s to 70�F
Raptor Observations: A decent movement after migrants that were bottled up by rain yesterday found favorable winds today. .
The usual local raptors were around: RT, ML,TV,BV,BE,CH,RS.
Non-raptor Observations: Small groups of Canada Geese on the move.
Predictions: Sunny, 78�, decreasing cloud cover and light SW winds ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Eberly (<david.eberly...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Nancy Ott
Observers:
Visitors: 6 brief visitors throughout afternoon.
Weather: Beginning started fogged in with drizzle and field at bottom of escarpment visible with lighter cloud opening. Helixville visible at end of first hour then periodically Shawnee visible. The valley was covered with a low fog layer at times and winds WNW were up to 21 mph gusts and increased to 31 mph high gust later in afternoon. Near end of watch hours sun appeared more with rainbow showing up along escarpment but in general foggy/periodic drizzle.
Raptor Observations: TV's buffeted around later in morning and afternoon. 1 SS, 1 RT north and only 3 raptors south. RT out over valley lifted and disappeared into fog as it was last seen going south.
Non-raptor Observations: Seeds were put out and 1 chickadee showed up, red bellied wp, blue jays, 2 ravens.
Predictions: Sunny with WSW winds and temps up to 70's. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Nancy Ott (<ednancy.ott...>)
Date: 10/10/26 6:39 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (10 Oct 2026) 58 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Chip Templin
Observers: Andy Francis, Fred Wilcox, Linda and Mike Mckinne, Morris Cox, Steve Rannels
Visitors: 2 Hunters, 8 Vista Viewers, 2 interested observers. Special thanks to Carol Wilcox.
Weather: 80%-100% cloud cover all day. Light Winds (3-4mph) from the northeast changing to east and south as the day went on
Raptor Observations: ! Juvenile Golden Eagle Counted. 9 Bald Eagles counted, 3 Juveniles and 6 Mature.
Non-raptor Observations: Pewee's, Cedar Waxwings, Blue Jays and Ravens. 1 Hairy Woodpecker. 11 Monarchs
Predictions: Rain all day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Brett White
Observers: Michele Varricchio
Visitors: 183 total visitors; engaged with 63.
Weather: Mild October day with temperatures in the 60s F, calm easterly winds. Morning fog in low areas, 15 mile visibility, veil of clouds all day. By afternoon the ceiling lifted and visibility improved. Clouds thickened to the southwest by end of day. Sun Halo around the sun all day, and Sun Dog in the morning.
Raptor Observations: Bald Eagle (5) adult 1120, 1124, 1325, 1326, 1327; immature 1122. Peregrine Falcon (2) 1511,1530 2 wrong way Bald Eagles late in the day.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Raven 13; Blue Jay; Tree Swallow; Red Bellied Woodpecker; Northern Flicker; Pileated Woodpecker. Canada Geese 40.
Predictions: 1-2 inches of rain after 8 AM. East winds 10-15 mph with gusts to 30 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Brian M. Wargo
Observers: Bill Cline, Bob Stewart, Dave Poder, Ed Gowarty,Sr, Greg Gdula, Judy Johns, Nancy Ott, Regina Gaison, Rosemary McGlynn, Sandy Cline, Wayne Sierer
Visitors: The Hawk Watch Picnic was Today! What a great day for everyone. Great food, great views of raptors, and just a wonderful and supportive group of people enjoying nature!
Will Toret, Brooke Garman, Katie Van Blarcom, Shawn O'Shea, Meg and Jim Moses, Joe and Barb Carrier, Tom Filip, Heather and Wes Kaufman, Mike and Susie Knapp.
Special thanks to Waggoner's Gap's counter Tom Filip for helping today!
Weather: Overcast with a strong and consistent east wind all day!
Raptor Observations: Bald Eagles: 1:28 Adult, 1:29 Sub I, 1:32 Sub II, 3:13 Sub II
Non-raptor Observations: American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jay, Common Raven, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-Breasted Nuthatch
Predictions: Rain likely. High around 60F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch. Localized flooding is possible. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian M. Wargo (<brianwargo...>)
Date: 10/10/26 4:12 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (10 Oct 2026) 238 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 10, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 286 286 OS 1 11 175 BE 7 113 528 NH 4 32 78 SS 184 1925 3502 CH 13 117 246 AG 0 0 0 RS 2 6 22 BW 0 9 7930 RT 15 123 514 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 5 7 AK 3 44 170 ML 6 57 94 PG 3 19 32 UA 0 6 14 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 7 43
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Chris Pugliese, Craig Hedlund
Observers: Alan Simon, Bob Kelly
Weather: Beautiful day, Nice clouds and East wind temperature climbing into the ow 70's. Unfortunately the count was cut short by a cross-country race.
Raptor Observations: Not a bad day and at least at the beginning of the day, very visible birds
Non-raptor Observations: over 300 Blue Jays 5 Goldfinch 12 Cedar Waxwing 50+ Tree Swallow 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
Predictions: They are calling for 100% chance of rain during the entire count period tomorrow, so I wouldn't waste my time trying to go. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Weather: Partly cloudy becoming overcast as high altitude clouds moved in ahead of tomorrows hurricane remnants. Light variable winds throughout the day with weak thermal generation.
Raptor Observations: Nice diversity with an adult peregrine passing directly over the lookout and close looks at a late day merlin.
Non-raptor Observations: red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, blue jay, tufted titmouse, red-breasted nuthatch, golden-crowned kinglet, ruby-crowned kinglet, cape may warbler, American pipit, purple finch American goldfinch
Predictions: RAIN! Strong east winds and remnants of hurricane Isaias will shut down the migration Sunday, Monday will clear with north winds should see a push of migrants. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Hannah Mahar
Observers: Aidan Hannon , Ed Barrell, Scott Fisher
Visitors: 0
Weather: Overcast skies with variable East winds and temperatures of 12-20 C.
Raptor Observations: BE Adult: 1141, 1141, 1152, 1234, 1238 BE Immature: 1055, 1451 BE 4th Year: 1229 GE Adult: 1223
Non-raptor Observations: Canada Goose 5, Blue Jay 117, Northern Flicker 2, American Robin 6, Tree Swallow 200, Gray Catbird 2, Eastern Towhee 1, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4, Common Raven 9, Cedar Waxwing 12, White-throated Sparrow 1, Carolina Wren 1, Blue-headed Vireo 1, American Crow 6
Predictions: Rain showers throughout the day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kittatinny counter/l goodrich (<goodrich...>)
Date: 10/10/26 9:34 am From: Douglas Filler <0000012c09e09177-dmarc-request...> Subject: Silver Lake in Bucks CO.
The following were seen or heard on the morning bird walk from the Silver Lake Nature Center located in Bristol PA.
Silver Lake Park/Nature Center, Bucks, Pennsylvania, US
Oct 10, 2026 7:34 AM - 10:48 AMParticipant: 8
Protocol: Traveling
0.923 mile(s)
27 species
Canada Goose 6
Wood Duck 4
Mallard 4
Cooper's Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 2
Gray Catbird 2
American Robin 1
House Sparrow 3
American Goldfinch 3
Song Sparrow 4
Swamp Sparrow 1
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Common Grackle 1
Northern Parula 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Palm Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 15
Northern Cardinal 2
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Sandy Cline
Observers: Nancy Ott
Visitors: Will Toret, Brooke Garman, Katie VanBleircom, Shawn O'Shea
Weather: Sunny & warm, light NW winds
Raptor Observations: BE 11:58 Ad
Non-raptor Observations: Cedar Waxwings, Juncos, BC Chickadees, WB nuthatch, N Flicker, Blue jays, T Titmouse, RB Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker
Predictions: Cloudy with light ESE winds ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sandy Cline (<horseldy...>)
Date: 10/9/26 4:38 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (08 Oct 2026) 237 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 47 267 267 OS 0 10 174 BE 8 94 509 NH 1 25 71 SS 146 1391 2968 CH 8 87 216 AG 0 0 0 RS 1 3 19 BW 0 9 7930 RT 14 96 487 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 4 6 AK 3 36 162 ML 6 45 82 PG 2 13 26 UA 0 5 13 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 0 0 UR 1 6 42
Non-raptor Observations: Monarchs: 5 LFE: 5 Blue Jays: 87 Red-breasted Nuthatch: 1 Pine Siskin: 1
A black ratsnake, probably the same one from Monday, slithered around our seats and gave us a fantastic look at it.
Predictions: Low to moderate W/WNW wind, mostly sunny. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Date: 10/9/26 4:35 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (09 Oct 2026) 431 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 19 286 286 OS 0 10 174 BE 12 106 521 NH 3 28 74 SS 350 1741 3318 CH 17 104 233 AG 0 0 0 RS 1 4 20 BW 0 9 7930 RT 12 108 499 RL 0 0 0 GE 1 5 7 AK 5 41 167 ML 6 51 88 PG 3 16 29 UA 1 6 14 UB 0 1 9 UF 0 1 2 UE 0 0 0 UR 1 7 43
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours
Official Counter: Tom Filip
Observers: Dave Grove, Gene Wagner, Glen Van Fleet, Joe Sabo, Nick Bolgiano, Paul Fritz, Regina Gaison
Visitors: 31
Weather: Low WNW wind in the morning with some SW gusts, moderate NW wind in the afternoon. Sunny for most of the day, some clouds on the S side slowly rolled in at the end of the day.
Predictions: Low NE wind shifting to SE by the end, mostly cloudy. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Date: 10/9/26 4:21 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (09 Oct 2026) 77 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Predictions: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. (NWS summary) ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 10.92 hours
Compiler: David Barber
Counters: Laura Berry, Marcus Fennema, Sean Grace
Visitors: 176
Weather: Clear with increasing clouds in late afternoon, NW winds shifting to W late morning 4-12 mph
Raptor Observations: Lots of close sharpies; at least 7 bald eagles deemed not migrating and weren't counted
Non-raptor Observations: yellow-billed cuckoo, yellow-bellied sapsucker, eastern phoebe, 47 blue-headed vireos, tree swallow, winter wren, red-breasted nuthatch, ruby- and golden-crowned kinglets, Cape May, black-throated blue, yellow-rumped black-throated green, blackpoll and palm warblers, indigo bunting, white-throated sparrow, pine siskin
Predictions: Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Guitar Dave , Joe Farkas, Lizzie Sgambelluri, Tim Williams
Visitors: 13 visitors today, a relatively busy day for the north lookout, and mostly all young people - I asked, and apparently it is senior skip day. Good for them. Had a great time today being joined in the afternoon by Tim Williams, Joe Farkis, Lizzie Sgambelluri, and Guitar Dave.
Weather: 58-70 degrees, WNW with gusts up to 22 mph, clear skies getting partly cloudy in the evening.
After a very slow morning, a "sharpie party" in the evening was lots of fun! Some good looks at all three falcon species throughout the day too.
Non-raptor Observations: Black-throated blue, lots of yellow rumps, a blackpoll, and a phoebe that stuck around all day. Big numbers of blue jays continue to migrate.
Predictions: Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Alexa Sarussi
Observers: Jon Kauffman, Ken Bowman
Visitors: One group hiked through, a couple from Philadelphia, and a couple from Ohio, a family of 4 from State College hung out for a while in the afternoon, and towards the end of the day a large group of Amish enjoyed watching their cousins bale hay through the scope.
Weather: Beautiful fall day with clear skies until some wispy clouds started creeping in later in the afternoon. Warm temps and light winds.
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations: 9 monarchs moving through. Other birds: HAWO, YBSA, NOFL, PIWO, WBNU, RCKI, AMRO, BLJA, BCCH, CEWA, TUTI, TRSW, AMCR, CORA, AMGO, BTGW, EUST, BHVI (several singing actively in late morning), YRWA, DEJU, WTSP, EATO, TUVU, BLVU, RTHA ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jen Anderson (<jab56...>)
Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 2 hours
Official Counter:
Observers: Tom Warman
Visitors: Twenty visitors in two hours including a mixed family group of young kids and several adults - mostly interested in climbing the rocks in front of the platform.
Weather: Moderate north breeze with bright, clear skies to start. Increasing high, wispy clouds as time went on. The winds increased and shifted to the northwest by end of the watch.
Raptor Observations: Very slow day for migrating raptors. Lots of local turkey vultures both overhead and in the distance over the Susquehanna River. A pair of bald eagles provided entertainment at times.
Non-raptor Observations:
======================================================================== Report submitted by Parks Volunteer (<parks...>)
Contributors: Brendyn Baptiste, Jeff Bogan, John Campbell, Martin Carlin, Patience Fisher, Thomas Frank, Steve Gosser, Barbara Griffith, Eric Hall, Joshua Hall, Ryan Hamilton, Charlotte Hood, Deborah Kalbfleisch, Glenn Koppel, Doug Massey, Gregory McDermott, Jerry McWilliams, Susan Miller, Kevin Parsons, Joseph Pumford, David Rothrock, Connor Schmitt, Brian Shema, Kim Springer, Jerry Stanley, John Taylor, Sam Watters, Sara Wetzel, Cheri Widzowski, John Yonko.
Compiler: Amy Taracido
Tuesday, 8 September 2026 through Tuesday, 22 September 2026 (two weeks)
**This report is distributed by e-mail only. Compiler is not responsible for errors on websites who reproduce/reprint these reports. If you would like to receive western PA RBAs, contact AMYTARACIDO@ YAHOO.COM
Transcript-
NOTE: GREATER YELLOWLEGS, BLACK VULTURE, YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, PALM WARBLER continue to be reported.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY:
In Pittsburgh on 9/11, 1 FORSTER'S TERN (via Ebird); on 9/22, 1 YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (HB).
Northwest of Cheswick on 9/12, 1 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (BS).
On 9/13 in Peters Creek, 1 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (BS).
At Sewickley Heights Borough Park on 9/13, 1 GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (SG).
On 9/14 at Frick Park, 1 GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (KSJ et. al.).
At Stoney Lane Farm on 9/14, 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (KP).
On 9/22 at Wingfield Pines, 1 MARSH WREN (JB).
BUTLER COUNTY:
Near Lake Arthur on 9/11-9/12, 1 GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (GK et. al.). At Lake Arthur on 9/19, 1 COMMON TERN (MC).
On 9/18 in Portersville, 1 COMMON TERN (MC).
CRAWFORD COUNTY:
At Conneaut Marsh on 9/11, 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW (BB).
On 9/16 in Linesville, 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW (JH).
In Pymatuning on 9/19, 3 AMERICAN PIPITS (EH).
On 9/20 at Woodcock Creek Park, 6 AMERICAN PIPITS (RH).
ERIE COUNTY:
At Presque Isle State Park on 9/10, 1 TRUMPETER SWAN (TF); on 9/11, 1 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (via Ebird); on 9/12, 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS, 1 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, and others (JM); on 9/13, 2 AMERICAN AVOCETS (DM et. al.), 1 STILT SANDPIPER, 3 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, 2 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS (DM); on 9/14-9/16 and 9/18, 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS (JM et. al.); also on 9/16, 1 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, 1 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (CS), 1 LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (DR); also on 9/18, 1 STILT SANDPIPER (PF et. al.), 1 MOURNING WARBLER (JC); on 9/19-9/20, 1 TRUMPETER SWAN, 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS, 1 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (SWa et. al.); also on 9/20, 1 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (JP); on 9/22, 1 BLACK-NECKED STILT (BG).
On 9/10 in Erie, 2 EVENING GROSBEAKS (JY).
INDIANA COUNTY:
Along Fire Tower Road on 9/9, 1 HENSLOW'S SPARROW (JT).
On 9/14-9/15 at Yellow Creek State Park, 1 RUDDY TURNSTONE (JT et. al.); also on 9/15, 1 CLIFF SWALLOW (DK).
At Blue Spruce County Park on 9/16, 2 GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES (CW).
MERCER COUNTY:
On 9/14 southeast of Transfer, 1 GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (KS).
SOMERSET COUNTY:
On 9/21 at Lost Creek Swamp, 1 MARSH WREN (SWe).
VENANGO COUNTY:
On 9/13 at Kahle Lake, 1 RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (JS).
WASHINGTON COUNTY:
Near Meadowlands on 9/10, 1 LINCOLN'S SPARROW (GM).
WESTMORELAND COUNTY:
On 9/9 at Powdermill Nature Reserve, 2 GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS (CH).
At Mammoth Park on 9/18-9/20, 1 STILT SANDPIPER (EH et. al.).
Date: 10/9/26 10:49 am From: Ferraro, Emily <0000022a544a5dba-dmarc-request...> Subject: Fall Sandhill Crane Survey in Pennsylvania
Hello PA Birders,
Each fall, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) requests assistance from experienced birders with the annual U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Fall Sandhill Crane Survey. This year's survey will be conducted from October 19-28th. If you are interested in participating, please see the details below describing the survey protocol and data submission steps.
We encourage you to participate and spread the word to other birders! Thank you for your interest and dedication to PA's birds.
Each fall, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) requests assistance from experienced birders with the annual U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Fall Sandhill Crane Survey. We again ask the state's birders to help with this survey. We thank the birding community for participating in past surveys and submitting Sandhill Crane observations in eBird. These data help agencies better understand the expansion of this species in the East and how cranes use Pennsylvania habitats.
This year, the crane survey will be conducted from October 19 - 28. Last year, a total of 423 cranes were observed in the October/November 2025 survey period. This marks Pennsylvania's highest sandhill crane count since this survey began in 2013, surpassing the previous record of 310 cranes recorded in 2024. In 2025, 13 counties were surveyed including: Crawford, Bradford, Adams, Columbia, Dauphin, Susquehanna, Luzerne, Wayne, Pike, Lackawanna, York, Sullivan, and Wyoming.
Counts are best conducted within 30 minutes after sunrise or 30 minutes before sunset. If dawn/dusk surveys are not possible, cranes can be tallied during the day as they forage in small groups. Sites can be surveyed once. Information about the survey can be found below and on the PGC website under "Birding and Bird Conservation". If you know of a gathering of cranes at a fall staging area, we'd appreciate hearing from you. Don't assume someone else will report a local sighting. If you observe zero cranes in your survey, please record this! Every observation is important, including no-crane observations!
Sandhill Cranes can linger in PA as late as December and beyond, so it can be an exciting challenge to search for cranes throughout the year. The background information, protocol and data sheet are available at: https://www.pgc.pa.gov/InformationResources/GetInvolved/SandhillCraneSurvey/Pages/SurveyMethods.aspx. Survey sheets can be printed from this webpage and mailed to the address provided. Online reporting is also available through the website here: Sandhill Crane Fall Survey<https://pgcforms.pa.gov/SandhillCraneFallSurvey/>. We encourage you to spread the word to other birders. PGC staff also participate in the surveys, but volunteer assistance greatly expands the effort and coverage of Pennsylvania's Sandhill Crane surveys. Please contact <sandhillcranes...><mailto:<sandhillcranes...> if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you
Your assistance in this effort will provide an important "snapshot" of the distribution of cranes statewide and will help track population trends over time. We are eager to learn more about the distribution of Pennsylvania's cranes, habitats used during the staging period, and the current ratio of juveniles to adults. In addition to the official FWS Sandhill Crane survey, Pennsylvania birders are invited to look for Sandhill Cranes throughout the year and enter these sightings into eBird. All of this information will help us better understand the distribution of cranes across their annual cycle in the East.
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 17:30:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter:
Observers: Guitar Dave
Visitors: No visitors today at the north lookout other than Guitar Dave on the overtime shift.
Weather: 58-71 degrees F, bluebird skies WNW wind getting up to 24 mph. The wind brought in birds but also knocked down the owl pole, and I had to do some pretty heroic bouldering to rescue the decoy.
Raptor Observations: Bald eagle (8): 1016a x3, 1016i, 1244i, 1414a, 1449a, 1549u Golden eagle (1): 1244i
A juvenile bald eagle and a 2nd-3rdish year golden back to back was really cool. Yesterday's evening peregrine flight came back for an encore as well, starting around 5pm local time just like before - thanks Guitar Dave for coming and picking those up. With similar winds tomorrow, is a threepeat in the cards...?
Non-raptor Observations: Good junco, blue jay, and tree swallow flight today. Got great looks at a male black-throated blue, plus a little fight between a flaring ruby-crowned and a still-colorful Cape May was fun.
Predictions: Sunny, with a high near 69. West wind 5 to 15 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:45:00 Total observation time: 10.5 hours
Compiler: Laurie Goodrich
Counters: Sergi Gomez Espi
Visitors: 169
Weather: West to WNW wind all day, clear to partly cldy
Raptor Observations: steady flight of accipiters and falcons and bald eagles
Non-raptor Observations: 50 tree swallow, 14 flicker, 21 com. raven, 27 blue jay, 35 robin 9 goldfinch, 13 waxwing 2 junco ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Dave Eberly, John Mercer
Observers: Alan Simon, Bob Kelly
Visitors: Laura Matika and Class, Ed Kyle, John Cininere, Nick Whalen, Rob Kaniuk and Pam Coath
Weather: Beautiful day to be outside, unfortunately, not a cloud until noon then they slowly built. Temperature started in the 60's and climbed into the mid 70's winds generally NW 4-14 mph.
Raptor Observations: A surprisingly slow day, you would think the winds would bring us birds but they did not. The clear skies most of the day did not help. After noon, we did get a small movement. The usual locals: CH, BV, TV,and RT
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions: Tomorrow should see some cloud cover, but not a lot. Temperatures cooler than today, starting around 55, climbing to 70. Winds should be mostly W to NW 4 to 9 mph. Could be a fair day, hopefully nice for the last two school groups, at around 10 and 12:30. Help would be appreciated, especially while the kids are visiting. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Dave Poder
Observers:
Visitors: Four
Weather: Mostly sunny, visibility 35km, variable moderate W winds, temp 12.6C to 16.9C
Raptor Observations: 4 SS, 1 CH, 1 TV
Non-raptor Observations: BC Chickadees, WB Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Cedar Waxwings, A Goldfinches, E Towhees, Blue-headed vireos, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Pine Warbler, Red-bellied, Pileated wp, N Flickers, C Ravens, Blue Jays
Predictions: Mostly sunny, NW winds, high temp 12C ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Poder (<avions...>)
Date: 10/8/26 8:13 am From: Lisa Dziuban <dziubanlisa...> Subject: White throated sparrow Plumstead Twp., Bucks
FOS, also hearing again after a lull, the eastern screech owl.
Lisa Dziuban
“ I collect scraps of fabrics, balls of twine and yellowing ironstone. I gravitate toward dusty books and ripped upholstery, seeing not their imperfections, but their unique ability to calm and relax me.”
Lori Brechlin
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jim Rocco
Observers:
Visitors: 12 visitors
Weather: Light winds out of the (NW) then switching to (SE) Temperatures went from 5.6 degrees (C) to 12.2 (C) Cloud cover was 0% for the day.
Raptor Observations: 20 raptors counted for the day
Non-raptor Observations: Pileated, red headed, red bellied woodpeckers, chicadees, white breasted nuthatch , ravens
butterflies, 1 monarch, cabbage whites, black swallowtail, red spotted purple, and clouded sulpher's
Predictions: clear with temperatures from the 40's to mid 60's. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Stewart (<bstewart...>)
Date: 10/8/26 3:46 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (08 Oct 2026) 63 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Ed Chubb
Observers: Bruce Carl, Jay George, Morris Cox
Visitors: Bruce Carl(as noted above) Susan Wheeler, Morris Cox, Jay George
Weather: Winds out of the south/southwest all day with temps starting out in the 40's topping out near 70 in the afternoon. No clouds all day.
Raptor Observations: First Golden Eagle of the year at the end of the count period.
Non-raptor Observations: A good small bird flight witnessed by Bruce Carl early in the count day, before 8:00 A.M. 8 warblers were the highlight of the passerine fall out.
Predictions: Weather should be very similar to Wednesday's. Good weather-good day to be on the mountain! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Craig Hedlund
Observers:
Weather: Started cold and in the 40's but warmed up as the day progressed. Another day with no clouds and Slight E to S winds.
Raptor Observations: Oddly, even the locals did not show today, only TV and BE. Migrants were scarce too.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions: Another mainly cloudless skies with warmer temperatures, climbing into the mid 70's. Winds will be mostly from the W to NW at 10-15 mph, so there is a better shot at getting migrants than there was today but they will be hard to find in the blue skies. Extra eyes will be helpful. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 07, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Hazleton John
Visitors: It was a busy weekday at the south lookout with 27 visitors, including a couple celebrating the girlfriend's birthday with a photoshoot, champagne, and other decriminalized substances. Had lots of fun listening to old stories about the hawkwatch and getting "quigged" by peregrines with Hazelton John.
Weather: 42-65 degrees F, weak south wind to start that slowly increased to 21 mph gusts. Bluebird skies.
A sudden peregrine flight late in the day was tons of fun to watch. They gave amazing looks, almost all propelling themselves down the same low and close flight line - with the exception of one immature bird putting on a show doing aileron rolls, knocking a local red-tail out of its kiting, and even perching in a snag.
Other highlights included an immature harrier diving at the owl pole, a bald eagle somersaulting to dodge a red-tailed attack, and a pair of local Cooper's hawks in an out-of-season courtship flight, white undertail coverts flared and all.
Non-raptor Observations: Scott Keys had 20-30 blue-headed vireos at sunrise before I arrived. Good thing they're not called solitary vireo anymore. One daredevil black-throated green threaded the needle right between me and John as we stood next to each other. Also noticed a LOT of chipmunk activity on the way up, who were probably all getting ready for winter.
Predictions: Sunny, with a high near 72. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: Connor Schmitt
Observers:
Visitors: Lynn Langer and Beth Leslie from outside Harrisburg. Camped at Canoe Creek the last few days and stopped by on their way home. Luckily for them most of the raptors for the day came by while they were present.
Weather: Sunny and high 60s. 5-7 mph winds from the southwest.
Raptor Observations: Very slow start to the day, that ended up being not too bad of a day.
Predictions: 7-12 mph winds from the west. May have decent numbers. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Connor Schmitt (<cschmitts12...>)
Date: 10/7/26 4:08 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (07 Oct 2026) 306 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 07, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 125 220 220 OS 0 10 174 BE 21 86 501 NH 3 24 70 SS 110 1245 2822 CH 15 79 208 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 2 18 BW 1 9 7930 RT 15 82 473 RL 0 0 0 GE 2 4 6 AK 4 33 159 ML 2 39 76 PG 6 11 24 UA 1 5 13 UB 0 1 9 UF 1 1 2 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 5 41
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Rosemary McGlynn
Observers: Jim Rocco, Rich Jones
Visitors: several visitors including Rich Jones,Jim Rocco,Pam & Greg Stenger
Weather: light SE/SW winds all day;sunny,cloudless skies;52-70F
Raptor Observations: 16 migrating raptors and 1 Adult BE flying north
Non-raptor Observations: jays,crows,ravens,bc chickadees,wb nuthatches,c waxwings,red-bellied wp,N flicker,TVs. Also monarchs,c whites,t swallowtail & red spotted purple
Predictions: light to mod W winds;mostly clear & sunny;50-65F ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rosemary McGlynn (<denali...>)
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.83 hours
Compiler: Rebecca McCabe
Counters: Himani Singh Khati, Laura Berry
Visitors: 207
Weather: Clear, SW wind 1-10 km/h
Raptor Observations: Nice push of sharpies throughout the day. Great looks at two male northern harriers, and over 10 falcons zipping by, including a merlin diving on the owl pole.
Non-raptor Observations: Morning flock of blue-headed vireos and ruby-crowned kinglets filled the trees behind the lookout. Four species of woodpeckers were counted including 9 northern flickers.
Predictions: Sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Date: 10/7/26 6:42 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (06 Oct 2026) 15 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 06, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Gayle Lawrence
Observers: Jay George, Joe Meloney, Mary Brenner, Morris Cox
Visitors: Ronnie & Sal were birding the site, and helped spot raptors. 5 others for the view, plus 2 at the watch site.
Weather: Seasonably cool with bright sunshine and no clouds of any size. Light breeze from the Northwest. Temperature 46-56� F.
Raptor Observations: adult BE @ 1:50
Non-raptor Observations: Warblers migrating through the area included Yellow-rumped, Nashville, Black and White, Black-throated Green, and Cape May. Ruby-crowned Kinglets among the warblers. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 06, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 17:30:00 Total observation time: 11.5 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Guitar Dave , Ron Kline, Scott Keys, Travis Rennig
Visitors: 7 visitors today at the north lookout. Joined by Scott Keys in the morning, who got an amazing picture of a sharpie cutting through the big pine, Ron Kline, Travis Rennig, and Guitar Dave.
Weather: 41-61 degrees F, northwest wind all day. Clear blue skies made for a beautiful sunrise this morning.
Raptor Observations: Bald eagle (4): 0958i, 1026a, 1139a, 1310a Golden eagle (1): 1644a
Guitar Dave with another overtime golden! Other than that, less movement than yesterday but similar species. Lots of cool attacks on the owl today from sharpies, merlins, kestrels, and an incredibly persistent young red-tailed.
Non-raptor Observations: On such a chilly morning, a singing blue-headed vireo posed up in front of the lookout was an absolute joy. One last echo of summer before the woods goes quiet for winter.
Also had both kinglets, white-throated sparrow, lots of yellow-rumped, and a continuing exodus of blue jays to further usher in the fall.
Predictions: Sunny, with a high near 69. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Date: 10/6/26 5:17 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (06 Oct 2026) 206 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 06, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 52 95 95 OS 0 10 174 BE 14 65 480 NH 2 21 67 SS 99 1135 2712 CH 10 64 193 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 2 18 BW 0 8 7929 RT 20 67 458 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 2 4 AK 2 29 155 ML 2 37 74 PG 1 5 18 UA 1 4 12 UB 1 1 9 UF 0 0 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 2 5 41
Observation start time: 05:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10.25 hours
Compiler: Mitchell Pruitt
Counters: Dan Jenkins
Visitors: 197
Weather: Cold, clear, with NW wind
Raptor Observations: Northwest winds brought a nice flight of Sharp-shinned Hawks and 2 Golden Eagles!
Non-raptor Observations: Excellent songbird flight this morning! Good day for Blue-headed Vireo and Blackpoll Warbler.
Predictions: Sunny, with a high near 69. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Chris Pugliese, Tom Bush
Observers: Alan Simon, Chris Pugliese, Chuck Root, Tom Bush
Visitors: Ray Lovekin
Weather: A beautiful day for hawk watching NW winds 4 to 15 mph temperatures in the 60's and low 70's, decent cloud cover
Raptor Observations: A good mix of raptors, one of our better days. Locals: RT, RS, BV, TV, BE, CH and SS
Non-raptor Observations: 35 Chimney Swift 4 Northern Mockingbird 3 Common Raven 12 American Robin 6 Blue Jay 2 Flicker 40 Tree Swallow
Predictions: Sunny and cooler than today, high only getting into the low 60's. Good winds, NW 5 to 10 mph. Could be a good day for the first group of Radnor Middle School students. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:15:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Connor Schmitt
Observers: Bill Chambers, David Kyler, Ken Bowman, Nick Bolgiano
Visitors: Ken and Mary Frazer.
Weather: Partly cloudy and mid 60s. 10-15 mph winds from the NW. Ideal conditions and it showed.
Raptor Observations: Golden Eagles: 2 juveniles / sub adults Kestrels: 5 females, 4 males, 10 unknown
First Golden Eagles of the season for Stone Mountain!
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: 2 large dark shorebirds that may have been Hudsonian Godwits. Too distant too get a proper ID. Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy woodpecker, Flickers, Phoebe, Blue Jays, Ravens, Chickadee, Tree Swallows, WB Nuthatch, Starlings, Robins, Waxwings, Goldfinch, Junco, Towhee. Warblers: Tennessee, Cape May, Yellow-rump, Black-throated Green.
LFE: 1
Predictions: slower winds from the West-Northwest. Good have some more birds moving through. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Connor Schmitt (<cschmitts12...>)
Date: 10/5/26 5:32 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (05 Oct 2026) 802 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 05, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 43 43 43 OS 2 10 174 BE 21 51 466 NH 7 19 65 SS 616 1036 2613 CH 28 54 183 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 2 18 BW 1 8 7929 RT 27 47 438 RL 0 0 0 GE 1 2 4 AK 19 27 153 ML 29 35 72 PG 4 4 17 UA 3 3 11 UB 0 0 8 UF 0 0 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 1 3 39
GOEA at 12:10, circled overhead and gave us nice looks. Either a 1st or 2nd year.
1 SSHA went for the owl.
Non-raptor Observations: Monarchs: 4 LFE: 3 Blue Jays: 167 Red-breasted Nuthatch: 1 Black Ratsnake: 1
The PGC cut trees on both sides of the ridge today, giving us a better view of both valleys.
Predictions: NNW wind shifting to W by the end of the day, mostly sunny. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 05, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 17:30:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Guitar Dave , Lucie Demadille
Visitors: 4 visitors today. Joined in the evening by Hawk Mountain trainee Lucy Demadille, here all the way from the southern coast of France, as well as Guitar Dave, who, true to his namesake, had a lot of interesting knowledge to share about music history. Thanks Dave for picking up more great birds 90 min after I left.
Weather: 58-64 degrees F, partly cloudy, northwest wind with gusts up to 20. Foggy until 9 am local time.
A great day with a little bit of everything! Along with the gusting wind, nearly constant sharpie attacks kept the owl decoy's head on a swivel. Watching 2 harriers kettle together was probably my favorite sighting of the day. Guitar Dave was the only one who saw the golden eagle - his reward for staying a little extra.
Non-raptor Observations: Tree swallows and blue jays continue to trickle through, but not in especially huge numbers today. Some warbler flyovers, and I believe a sparrow flight call that I couldn't place as well.
Predictions: Sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Date: 10/5/26 4:39 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (05 Oct 2026) 224 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 05, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:15:00 Total observation time: 9.25 hours
Official Counter: Sue Dibble
Observers: Brian Weaver, Gary Labelle, Kurt & Sally Kraus, Morris Cox
Visitors: 3 for view, 3 for hawk watch
Weather: Fog in the valley at the start of the count which cleared quickly. Partly cloudy skies throughout the day with WNW winds. Temps 54-62 degrees
Raptor Observations: Immature Golden Eagle at 4:30 (local time) Kettle of 12 ravens Local vulture numbers seem to be building. 7 BVs and at least 23 TVs spent the day cruising back and forth 3 BEs and 2 RTs not counted
Non-raptor Observations: 200+ Blue Jays, Cape May and Blackpoll warblers, Golden -crowned Kinglet
Predictions: Sunny, 62 degrees, light NW winds ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Observation start time: 05:00:00 Observation end time: 17:45:00 Total observation time: 12.42 hours
Compiler: Bracken Brown
Counters: Himani Singh Khati, Mitchell Pruitt
Visitors: 238
Weather: Strong west-northwest winds throughout the day at 5-20 mph. Cleared early morning fog and clouds becoming clear by the end of the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Phenomenal flight that started at just after sunrise and finished close to sunset. The first three golden eagles of the season passed to our north with an immature giving a particularly close look while four bald eagles interacted. Fantastic sharp-shinned hawk and American kestrel flight.
Non-raptor Observations: canada geese, chimney swift, red-headed woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, eastern phoebe, blue jays, common raven (34), tree swallow, red-breasted nuthatch, American robin, cape May warbler(36), Tennessee, bt blue, bt green yellow-rumped and blackpoll warbler, song sparrow, dark-eyed junco PINE Siskin, American goldfinch, RUSTY BLACKBIRD.
Predictions: Sunny high of 63 with Northwest winds 5-10mph should have a continuation of today's flight with majority of raptors passing low on our left/above the lookout. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Nancy Ott
Observers: Greg Gdula
Visitors: 1 visitor.
Weather: Partly sunny. The day started with areas of sun shining down on the valley making areas of sun and shadows with strong NW winds that increased later in days with gusts of to 28 mph. Temps in the 50's.
Raptor Observations: Raptors were in general specks out over valley to the east. When they migrated the flight was rapid and very little wing beats and views mainly side profile. Once the flew down with the valley as a background, very difficult to follow.
Non-raptor Observations: TV's floated around the valley at times. Blue jays, ravens, red bellied wp, but very few birds in trees. lots of leaves.
Predictions: Partly sunny with temps in the 50's with NW/W winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Nancy Ott (<ednancy.ott...>)
Date: 10/5/26 11:41 am From: Carole Winslow <cjwinslow94...> Subject: Clarion Co- American bittern !!- continuing rufous hummingbird, more flight calls, woodcocks and winter wren
Fall greetings, it's been such a great stretch of weather and great birds as well. To update on the hummingbird first, I was able to get a half decent tail shot yesterday finally and so (thanks to Bob Mulvihill for consulting with me again !) it looks like it is indeed a rufous, but a young male. It's here throughout the day still quite regularly and does seem to be molting, at least it looks more disheveled, but quite active and apparently healthy. It's been using the feeders more often, and the flowers in the afternoon when the sun is on them. I enjoy watching him so much !
Second big bird event for the past two days... I was walking up to the upper field to pick some of the last pole beans at a little garden there when to my total amazement, an American bittern flushed out of the tall weeds just to my left. I was so shocked I was barely able to get it in the bins as it flew down along the field edge and then cut up over the woods edge and off over the fields. This was at a bottom wet area of the field below a seep, but still pretty dry around there right now. I imagine it just put down for the day and was hunkering down until it could get out that night. While I didn't get a photo or recording, it was so close that the ID seemed certain to me, nothing else that big with the long neck and head, dangling legs as it flew off, all brown streaking over the body. It did give a couple of croaks, that sounded like its flight call. Curiously, that morning listening to flight calls, I heard several of something I thought was heron-like, but not quite like a great blue. I now wonder if it was the bittern calling as it came in. It was certainly a bird I never expected to see here and don't expect to ever see again. Sometimes, you see the good stuff just because you keep getting out there..
Nocturnal flight calls- I've still been listening, thrushes are still moving, I had 490 calls Saturday still, mostly Swainson's but still 20-25 gray-cheeked. Wood thrush were still present with several calls and two calling on the ground after the flight, and another woodcock coming in which I hear pretty regularly, four different ones this morning ! On Saturday also after the flight calls, there were not one, but two different winter wrens calling in the yard. While I was listening, I heard wings behind me, turned around and there was a winter wren, landed right on the deck railing and was doing its two part call as it hopped around. Today there were fewer calls, but the first big push of hermit thrush came through with around 10 calls, the first I have heard this fall. White-throated sparrows have been arriving and this morning the numbers jumped way up, they were just calling and flying everywhere. I had two beautiful views of Lincoln's sparrows this morning as well, one of my favorites. Lastly, I have had three different owls calling in the past week in the morning, a screech owl a couple days, great horned owl, and one day a couple of barreds across the valley.
All in all, a great fall so far and wishing good fall birding for everyone,
Date: 10/5/26 8:08 am From: linda & bill franz <00000021c311e447-dmarc-request...> Subject: Cedar Waxing - Cumberland County
Cedar Waxwings have begun their annual fall visit to our backyard EasternRedcedars. They gulp down the berrylike,seed cones that produce a blue wash across the trees. Watching them darting betweentrees in groups reinforced the common description for their gregarious nature. I had to smile as I observed a dozen perchedshoulder to shoulder along a horizontal branch in the early morning sun. Their gentle character was contrasted by ourlocal mockingbirds that attempted to chase them along.
Bill Franz / Newville
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 04, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 13:45:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Rick Morrissey
Observers: Brett White, Joe Farkas
Visitors: We had 31 visitors which was higher than expected like the raptors and we engaged with 19 very nice folks. First visitor was on the knob before 0700 EST hoping to see the sunrise. Even though most peaks were clear, the fog at BOK often disappoints sunrise enthusiasts in early Fall. I asked him his name, he said 'Lando.' My first thought, Lando Calrissian of 'Star Wars the Empire Strikes back!' 'Were you named after him?' Actually 'no', but that is how he and his family from the Dominican Republic learned about the Star War 50+year saga. Actually, a better story.
Second visitor was Joe Farkas, an expert observer and longtime veteran of the BOK community. It was great to catch up.
Also so nice to finally meet Cooper Costello (he is still an infant, so 'finally' is not quite the right word), his brother Calvin, the youngest members of the Costello family. Along with Cooper and his crew were their friends, the Gervais family from Palmerton. Anna Costello is the very capable Office Administrator and Program Specialist at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center (Our mother ship for the HawkCount). You folks just missed a Peregrine, and Calvin, the Walking Stick was looking for you. Next time, OK buddy!
Weather: 100% cloud cover all day, with the count starting in a fog cloud with visibility of about 500 feet. The low temperature was 55F at 0700 EST, and a high temperature of 61F at 1200 EST. Winds were Southeast, East Southeast throughout the count ranging from 4-7 mph for the first two hours, then slowly dropping off to 1-3 mph in the last hour. Steady light rain ended the count at 1345 EST
Raptor Observations: In the first hour after the fog left we had five sharp shins, two kestrels, and a Peregrine Falcon. For a day with predicted East winds, we were pleasantly surprised at the consistent morning flight until shortly after the 1300 hour.
Mid-day, finally a Bald Eagle, a Juvenile that flew close to the South Lookout. This young eagle flew across the finish line, looked confused, turned and headed back East, then turned South, then back East. Kids, just running in circles without scissors thankfully.
As we observed five Ravens fly through the bowl shortly after the noon hour, a minute or so later we observed five raptor-like birds flying West over the North lookout and were headed West behind the South Lookout. At first we thought 'there are those ravens again.' Not quite, five Broadwing Hawks, on a day with no sun, yet Southeast winds did make sense and we almost missed them!
A good mix of Cooper's hawks with the Sharpies, three Osprey, three Peregrines, three Harriers and two Merlins, which was totally unexpected for this count, one of our better Sundays. We just never know what nature will give us.
Non-raptor Observations: Five Ravens, I was told there were Cape May warblers in the neighborhood, tree swallows, we observed a Pileated WP, some geese flying East, and one Monarch.
Predictions: Sunny with high temperatures in the upper 60s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 miles per hour with gusts up to 25 mph. Should be a very good accipiter flight, 'big birds' too. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Bob Stewart, Erika Bowman
Observers: Bob Stewart, Ed Gowarty,Sr, Heather Kaufman
Visitors: Helping spot: Ed Gowarty, Heather Kaufman Weekend Warriors youth group:approx 30 youths plus 10 adults. Heather Kaufman moderated a discussion about hawk watching and hawk migration. The group was given materials for the junior hawk watching program. Diplomas were awarded with a window sticker to take home. It was wonderful to be with these young people.
Weather: Dense fog from opening to closing of hawk watch. Moderate wind out of the SE.
Raptor Observations: 1 sharp-shinned hawk migrating through the fog.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions: AM clouds becoming sunny in the afternoon. Wind from NW at 10-20 mph. High 60 degrees F. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Stewart (<bstewart...>)
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 14:45:00 Total observation time: 7.58 hours
Compiler: Andy Price
Counters: Elizabeth Weed
Visitors: 183 with groups from Penn State Dubois and Princeton University
Weather: Overcast with low clouds and scattered rain showers, SE winds 1-12 mph
Raptor Observations: All three falcon species!
Non-raptor Observations: red-headed woodpecker, great-crested flycatcher, 383 blue jays, red-breasted nuthatch, Tennessee, Cape May, yellow-rumped and black-throated green warblers, dark-eyed junco, eastern towhee
Predictions: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Great conditions for an excellent Accipitrine flight! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Chris Pugliese
Observers:
Weather: Mostly cloudy temperatures in the upper 60's. NE winds 4 to 10 mph.
Raptor Observations: A decent Kestrel day for Rose Tree. Locals: RT. RS, Bv, TV, BE and CH
Non-raptor Observations: 150 Chimney Swift 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Raven 130 Robin 15 Fish Crow 91 Canada Goose 129 Blue Jay 140 Tree Swallow Many Dragonflies
Predictions: Damp and cool ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Date: 10/4/26 12:46 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (04 Oct 2026) 1 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 04, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 12:15:00 Total observation time: 4.25 hours
Official Counter: Andy Francis, Thom Kurtz
Observers: Morris Cox, Nancy Clupper
Visitors: Interested visitors Rick and Robin Cronkite. 2nd Mountain Hawkwatch founder - Morris Cox!
Weather: 100% cloud cover. Temperature constant at 15 C with a light to moderate wind. Initial visibility at 20 miles. At 9:30, fog and mist covered the site, reducing visibility to 2 miles or less for duration of count time.
Raptor Observations: Very little activity (1 migrating American Kestrel)
Non-raptor Observations: 5 Black Vultures feeding on deer carcass at hawk watch entrance. 7 Turkeys in the same area. Blue Jays, 42 Canada Geese, Eastern Phoebe, WB Nuthatch, raven, Pileated WP, Tufted Titmouse.
Predictions: Sunny and partly sunny, highs in the mid-sixties. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 12:30:00 Total observation time: 5.25 hours
Official Counter: Emily Sandly
Observers:
Visitors: AT hikers 2
Weather: Winds started out of the east and shifted ESE, sustained around 8mph or more with gusts up to 20mph. Cloudy, overcast skies. A light drizzle turned into a brief rain shower, stopped, and light rain began again in the 1200 hour.
Raptor Observations: A beautiful glance at an adult PEFA @ 0841, which came from the north and glided in front of the lookout and turned more westerly. Notable male NOHA which streamed across in the drizzle. Early SW low flying birds turned into an established SSW flight line.
Predictions: Sunny, winds in the early morning out of the west and shifting NW by mid-morning. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kittatinny counter/l goodrich (<goodrich...>)
Date: 10/4/26 10:54 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (04 Oct 2026) 9 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 04, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 1 8 172 BE 0 30 445 NH 2 12 58 SS 6 420 1997 CH 0 26 155 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 2 18 BW 0 7 7928 RT 0 20 411 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 1 3 AK 0 8 134 ML 0 6 43 PG 0 0 13 UA 0 0 8 UB 0 0 8 UF 0 0 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 38
Highlight was 2 juvenile NOHA that came through together low overhead with a SSHA. Also a male and female SSHA flying through the rain together.
Non-raptor Observations: Blue Jays: 10
Predictions: Moderate NW wind, mostly sunny. Should be a better day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Jon Kauffman
Observers: Brady Thomas, Meredith Sweatlock
Visitors: Two hikers passed though, a group of four that was visiting the area stayed and watched with us for a bit. Julian Avery brought 17 students up for about an hour.
Meredith Sweatlock was official counter, Brady joined for a portion of the day.
Weather: Sunny with some clouds in the morning. Cloud cover and wind increased around noon. Haze in the afternoon with brief drizzle, and rain started just before 4.
Raptor Observations: 2 resident Red-tails, lots of TUVU, a few BLVU
Non-raptor Observations: Tree Swallows moving through in large numbers. Tennessee, Magnolia, and Black-throated Green moved in right before the rain. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jon Kauffman (<jvk5019...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Brian M. Wargo
Observers: Bob Mulvihill, Bob Stewart, Dave Poder, Ed Gowarty,Sr, Greg Gdula, Jim Rocco, Randy Flament
Visitors: Jim and Deborah Hart, Barb & Ken Busche, Kim Von Roekel & Sam Osborne, Carolyn Hammes (Erie), Bob Mulvihill (National Aviary), Heather and Wes Kaufman, Joe & Barb Carrier, Betty and Keri Miller
Weather: Sunny and clear with an east wind! A very nice day to be outside.
Butterflies: Pearl Crescent, Cabbage White, Clouded Sulphur
Predictions: Showers in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian M. Wargo (<brianwargo...>)
Date: 10/3/26 4:57 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (03 Oct 2026) 57 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 03, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Chip Templin
Observers: Kurt & Sally Kraus, Peggy Holt, Rosemary Spreha
Visitors: 2 Bow Hunters, 7 Vista Viewers, 1 Interested Birder
Weather: Clear skies, winds light NNE -NE 4-7mph. High Temp 22C
Raptor Observations: 5 Bald Eagles counted - 2 Mature, 2 Immature(2-3 year and 4 year) and 1 juvenile. 1 local mature Bald Eagle not counted.
Non-raptor Observations: Many flights of Blue Jays. Canada Geese, 1 Cardinal and at least 1 Yellow Rump Warbler
Predictions: Cloudy with chance of rain before noon. High Temps 22C ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Date: 10/3/26 4:11 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (03 Oct 2026) 102 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 03, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 3 7 171 BE 14 30 445 NH 1 10 56 SS 49 414 1991 CH 12 26 155 AG 0 0 0 RS 2 2 18 BW 0 7 7928 RT 14 20 411 RL 0 0 0 GE 1 1 3 AK 5 8 134 ML 0 6 43 PG 0 0 13 UA 0 0 8 UB 0 0 8 UF 0 0 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 1 2 38
Observation start time: 06:30:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 10 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove, Paul Fritz
Observers: Dave Grove, Glen Van Fleet, Regina Gaison
Visitors: 93
Weather: Northeasterly wind was strong in the morning, the wind diminished in strength as the day progressed.
Raptor Observations: 1st bird Sharp-shinned 6:39 Last bird Sharp-shinned 4:19
A sharpie dove on a Turkey Vulture several times.
An adult GE was seen at 1:28
Non-raptor Observations: Monarchs 5, LFE 6. 150 plus Bluejays. ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (<waggap...>)
Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 4.75 hours
Official Counter: Phil Keener
Observers: Craig McCoy, Mike Sankovich, Randy Phillips, Tom Worman
Visitors: ~ 40, some were interested in the migration.
Weather: Pleasant day. Temps - 16-20C, light winds out of N/NNE switching more southeasterly in last 75 minutes of watch. 10-30% cloud cover, good visibility.
Raptor Observations: Limited numbers but nice variety. Migration movement shut down once winds shifted to southeasterly. Local BVs, TVs, bald eagles, red-taileds, and a Cooper's.
Non-raptor Observations: Some chimney swift activity, decent blue jay movement, three common nighthawks, three common ravens, eight Canada goose flocks with largest flock ~ 90 birds. Monarchs - 6 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Parks Volunteer (<parks...>)
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 03, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Brett White
Observers: Brandon Brogle, Mark Capozzoli, Steve Hawk
Visitors: 124 Total (56 Engaged)
Weather: Clear conditions prevailed through the count, with only about 10% cloud cover and visibility generally around 25 miles. Temperatures climbed from about 60 F in the morning to the upper 70s by afternoon, while winds stayed light, generally 0�9 mph, shifting from northeast early to predominantly east for the rest of the day.
Raptor Observations: Bald Eagles: 08:47i, 09:44a, 12:23a. American Kestrels: 1 Male, 1 Female. 30 Canada Geese, 11 Ravens, 15 Blue Jays, 2 Yellow Rumped Warblers, 2 Cape May Warblers, 2 Goldfinches, 1 Red Bellied Woodpecker, Wild Turkey heard but not seen, Barred Owl heard but not seen.
Non-raptor Observations: Repeated passes (at least 10 times) from extremely low flying farm planes went on all day (one scared off 2 Red Tailed Hawks).
Predictions: A chance of showers, mainly between 1pm and 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours
Compiler: Aidan Hannon
Counters: Bracken Brown, Lucie Donadille, Rob Feldman, Sergi Gomez Espi
Visitors: 557
Weather: Clear skies for majority of the day that started with northwest winds that switched to east northeast by the afternoon ranging from 3-10mph.
Raptor Observations: Fantastic looks at a close male northern harrier and a peregrine falcon that came close to the lookout before stooping on the local turkey vultures.
Predictions: Cloudy with showers in the afternoon east wind 5-10mph, low to moderate migration conditions before the showers move in. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Date: 10/3/26 11:06 am From: Douglas Filler <0000012c09e09177-dmarc-request...> Subject: Silver Lake in Bucks CO.
The following were seen or heard on the morning bird walk form the Silver Lake Nature Center located in Bristol, PA . Thanks Steve for taking over.
Silver Lake Park/Nature Center, Bucks, Pennsylvania, US
Oct 3, 2026 7:46 AM - 10:13 AM
Protocol: TravelingParticipants: 7
0.875 mile(s)
25 species
Canada Goose 3
Mallard 25
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 7
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 5
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
Gray Catbird 15
American Robin 4
American Goldfinch 2
Red-winged Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 5
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Northern Cardinal 2
Doug FillerLevittown, PA.
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Sandy Cline
Observers:
Visitors: 1 lady walked over from the Birdhouse
Weather: Sunny and warm to begin but clouds quickly rolled in. Moderate W winds. haze in the valley all day.
Raptor Observations: None
Non-raptor Observations: N Cardinal, blue jays, T Titmouse, BC Chickadee, WB Nuthatch, many TVs, ravens,N Flickers, RB Woodpecker, E Towhee Flying ants were bad - in your nose, eyes and ears. 3 LFE
Predictions: Sunny, not as warm with SW winds ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sandy Cline (<horseldy...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Chuck Root
Observers:
Weather: Hot with a nice mix of clouds and sun, but wind from SSW 4-12 mph
Raptor Observations: A very poor day! At least the locals made a showing. Locals: RT, TV, CH, RS, BV and a ML flying low and to the north
Non-raptor Observations: a Pileated Woodpecker
Predictions: Partly cloudy skies. High 72. Winds NE 5 to 10 mph, so more comfortable than today. Hawk wise, it can't be worse than today, hopefully with the weather approaching, hawks will try to move through tomorrow ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Date: 10/2/26 4:41 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (02 Oct 2026) 269 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 02, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 0 4 168 BE 11 16 431 NH 3 9 55 SS 234 365 1942 CH 8 14 143 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 0 16 BW 4 7 7928 RT 1 6 397 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 0 2 AK 2 3 129 ML 5 6 43 PG 0 0 13 UA 0 0 8 UB 0 0 8 UF 0 0 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 1 1 37
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove
Observers: Gene Wagner, Glen Van Fleet
Visitors: 18
Weather: Hazy, hot and humid with moderate SW wind until a cold front dropped some rain, the temperature and switched the wind to NW.
Raptor Observations: First SS 8:07 Last BE 4:54
Non-raptor Observations: Monarchs 12 Hummers 2 LFE 5 ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (<waggap...>)
Date: 10/2/26 4:25 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (02 Oct 2026) 52 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 02, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Gary LaBelle
Observers: Kurt & Sally Kraus, Morris Cox, Rosemary Spreha, Sue Dibble
Visitors: 3 military, 3 for view, 3 for hawk watch = 9
Weather: Warm and mostly sunny with light SE wind. Increasing clouds, wind shifted to West in the afternoon with a few rain drops shut down flight.
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations: a few warblers, red-headed woodpeckers, sapsucker
Predictions: Nice day a little cooler ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 02, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Tim Williams
Visitors: 19 visitors today, especially later in the day. Joined by Tim Williams for a couple hours this afternoon, who was great to hang out with while the raptors were slow and fun to bird with when they picked up.
Weather: Foggy in the morning, cleared up at 9 am local time to hazy 20 miles of visibility all day (most days 30+ miles visible). Unexpectedly hard rain ended count at 3 pm local time. 71-76 degrees F, variable SW wind peaking at 14 mph gusts.
Raptor Observations: Bald eagle (5): 1235a, 1310i, 1314a, 1314u, 1340a
Early trickle of sharpies in the morning gave way to an afternoon parade of eagles along the north side of the ridge, unexpected in this SW wind.
Non-raptor Observations: My personal best looks ever at a yellow-billed cuckoo today. Watched it fly in, check us out in an eye level sapling, and eat a fall webworm caterpillar. A couple interesting dragonflies I couldn't ID, 2 walking sticks, and stinkbug apocalypse day 3.
Predictions: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 05:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10.25 hours
Compiler: Brandon Brogle
Counters: Rich Rieger, Sergio Gomez Espi
Visitors: 190
Weather: Light variable west wind becoming cloudy with haze as cold front approached.
Raptor Observations: Excellent looks at todays adult Peregrine Falcon in the afternoon. Two sharp-shins made passes at the decoy owl.
Non-raptor Observations: Porcupine hung out along the lookout trail for the entire day to the delight of many.
Monarchs 10. Great Horned Owl duet and Barred Owl calling at daybreak. Chimney Swift, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-headed, Red-bellied, Downy and Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jay (45), Common Raven (17), Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch (62), Chipping and White-throated Sparrow, Tennessee, Cape May, Magnolia, Bay-breasted, Black-throated Blue and Green, and Yellow-rumped Warblers, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting.
Predictions: Mostly sunny with N wind 5-10mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Date: 10/1/26 5:39 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (01 Oct 2026) 52 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 01, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter:
Observers: Ed Chubb, Lee Melony, Morris Cox, Tim Becker
Weather: Overcast early with temps in the 60's getting to 80's late afternoon along with clearing sky. Very light variable winds early, out of the south till the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations: Stink Bugs galore! You've been warned.
Predictions: Rain may become an issue early in the day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Date: 10/1/26 5:01 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (01 Oct 2026) 162 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 01, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 4 4 168 BE 5 5 420 NH 6 6 52 SS 131 131 1708 CH 6 6 135 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 0 16 BW 3 3 7924 RT 5 5 396 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 0 2 AK 1 1 127 ML 1 1 38 PG 0 0 13 UA 0 0 8 UB 0 0 8 UF 0 0 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 0 36
Non-raptor Observations: Monarchs: 10 Red-spotted Purple: 1 Tiger Swallowtail: 1 Black Swallowtail: 1 LFE: 155 Blue Jays: 581
Predictions: SW/WSW wind. Mostly cloudy in the morning, possible rain in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 01, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers:
Visitors: 12 visitors today, and every single one complained about our brown marmorated friends.
Weather: Light rain to begin the day, cloudy shifting to mostly sunny later. 65-73 degrees F, light south wind.
Raptor Observations: Raptors were loath to move today. Spent a few hours twiddling my thumbs in between the bursts of activity when the sun was out.
Non-raptor Observations: Was greeted by a BELTED KINGFISHER calling repeatedly from the top of the knob this morning! Upon closer investigation, it was perched in a snag in the south woods, and seemed to resume southbound migration when it saw me. Stinkbugs were even worse today, ants slightly better. I also found a groundhog's den right off Church and Bake Oven Rd. on my way out.
Predictions: A chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Predictions: A chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Craig Hedlund, John Mercer
Observers: John Mercer, Robin Queenan
Weather: Cloudy morning changed into a partly cloudy afternoon. Winds were mostly light from the SW. Temperatures started in the mid 60's and climbed into the high 70's
Raptor Observations: Very light day. For the most part, even Locals waited until noon to start showing up. Locals: RT, ML, RS, TV, BV BE and CH. A migrating Osprey showed up for the Junior High cross-country kids to see, as did a nice close non-migrating adult Bald Eagle
Non-raptor Observations: A Common Raven
Predictions: Tomorrow should start around 70 and climb to the low 80's. Winds will be a little heavier than today, 6 to 9 mph, but still out of the SW, so not great for birds. There should be decent clouds though that might help. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Dave Poder
Observers: Jim Rocco, Mike Wolfe, Nancy Ott
Visitors: Eleven
Weather: W wind, mostly sunny, visibility 30 km, high temp 23.9C
Raptor Observations: BE ad @ 11:08, Sub @ 1:08 6 SS, 1 RT
Non-raptor Observations: BC Chickadees, WB Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Cedar Waxwings, A Goldfinches, Chimney Swifts, E Towhees, B-T Green Warbler, Red-bellied, Pileated wp, C Ravens, Blue Jays
Predictions: Mostly cloudy, SW winds ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Poder (<avions...>)
Date: 10/1/26 7:45 am From: DAVID KOCH <0000012d74227426-dmarc-request...> Subject: Koch property, Northampton County
Yesterday, Sept 30, was a good day for birds in the yard. In the morning I saw the stems of a monarda patch constantly moving, telling me that a warbler was most likely in it. And, sure enough, up popped a Connecticut warbler that stayed out in the open off and on for about 10 minutes. It was still around in early afternoon when Dave DeReamus came and saw it. Other hotable species seen included a scarlet tanager, the first white-throated sparrow I've seen this fall, a Lincoln's sparrow, a Tennessee warbler that Dave got photos of, and two ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Arlene Koch Easton, PA Northampton County <davilene...>
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Official Counter: Craig Hedlund, Debbie Beer
Observers: Debbie Beer, Robin Queenan
Weather: Much cloudier than forecast, clouds not breaking until 2 o'clock and then only for a short window. Temperatures in the 60's to low 70's all day with mild SW winds.
Raptor Observations: Counted our first TV for the year, two very high bee-lining to the SW. Migration didn't start until after 12:30 EDT but then picked up. Around 2:30 a kettle of 5 BE circled and the last one finally headed to the SW after 20 minutes and disappeared over the horizon. A beautiful Gray Ghost sailed by around 2:00 EDT.
Non-raptor Observations: 2 Common Nighthawks and 38 Blue Jays.
Predictions: Again the day will start cloud but eventually become partly cloudy. Much warmer with temperature getting above 80 degrees. Winds SSW 5 to 10 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 30, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Ed Chubb
Observers: Morris Cox, Steve Rannels, Ted Keene
Visitors: Some new visitors were welcomed to the site and given 2nd Mountain info. Usual FITG personnel doing their hike up the mountain with weighted vests/back packs.
Weather: Mostly cloudy all day with minimal breaks of sunshine. Temps in the 60's to near 80 F.
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations: STINK BUGS ARE THICK!
Predictions: See "Observations" above. Weather looks like cloudy conditions with light winds out of the South. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 30, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers:
Visitors: 11 visitors today at south lookout, most of which did not stick around long in the wake of Antmageddon.
Weather: 62-71 F, overcast all day. Zero wind at all recorded from the Knob, probably because the woods were in the way of the already weak southwest winds reported. When I arrived, the clouds had rolled themselves into a beautiful dimpled pattern right out of an O'Keeffe painting.
Raptor Observations: Movement was late to start today, and only really occurred during small breaks where sun peeked through the clouds. All raptor activity completely stopped once the sun and thermals disappeared.
Non-raptor Observations: If my body is a temple, today was a day of worship for every damn insect in Lehigh County.
Although the ants were in the highest numbers they've ever been, they're kind of fun to have around on their own. Unfortunately, the stinkbugs I've been told so much about finally joined them, and it was awful. I was constantly peeling them off my face and pulling them off my belongings, all of which they've blessed with the vague odor of... moldy cucumber? Even the lanternflies, who had been declining these last couple days, were back out in force. I now know how Kong felt swatting planes on the Empire State building.
However, I was happy to see a tardy green darner and monarch, a stickbug, a couple mantises, a chestnut weevil with a ridiculously long proboscis, and a beautiful male Bold jumping spider.
Enjoying the abundance of insects were lots of warblers, who finally returned to giving eye-level views in the trees. 3 blackpoll, 2 Cape May, a black-throated green, and a yellow-rumped, along with phoebes, a pewee, and a pair of late-ish swifts feasting on ants.
Predictions: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 30, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 0 106 164 BE 6 292 415 NH 3 41 46 SS 43 1556 1577 CH 6 113 129 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 9 16 BW 0 7494 7921 RT 6 261 391 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 2 2 AK 0 108 126 ML 2 35 37 PG 0 11 13 UA 0 6 8 UB 0 6 8 UF 0 1 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 1 32 36
Predictions: SW/SSW wind, mostly cloudy in the morning, partly cloudy in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.25 hours
Official Counter: Connor Schmitt
Observers:
Visitors: Professor Julian Avery brought up his class for about an hour or so. Good group of kids who showed a lot of interest. They got to see 5 migrating raptors (3x SSHA, COHA, RTHA) as well as a good show of vultures. They also helped me juice the stats on LFEs (Lantern Flies Eliminated)
Weather: mid 60s to low 70s with a weak breeze from the South-southwest. Sunny to overcast.
Raptor Observations: Not as slow as I thought it'd be given the wind and last few days, although still not too great of a day. Non-migrating: Turkey Vultures (last day), Black Vultures, 1 resident Juvenile Bald Eagle, one resident Red-tail
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: Killdeer (heard), Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Flickers, Blue Jays (some with acorns), Am. Crow, Ravens, Chickadees, Starlings, Robin, Waxwing, Goldfinch, Towhee. Warblers: Flock in early afternoon in mountain ash - Tennessee, Cape May, Parula, Blackpoll, Yellow-rump, Black-throated Green. Cool Bugs: Stick bug, multiple Katydids, caterpillars Uncool Bugs: Spotted Lanternflies (LFE: 15), Stinkbugs (Pee-yew!)
Predictions: Similar conditions to today. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Connor Schmitt (<cschmitts12...>)
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Rosemary McGlynn
Observers: Greg Gdula, Nancy Ott
Visitors: several visitors including Nancy Ott,Greg Gdula,Madi Reynolds,Gary Yoder,Gary & Pam Stenger and more
Weather: light ESE/SE winds all day with gusts to 17mph;sun early with increased cloud cover later; low fog in the valley which disappeared by 9:30 EST;60-68F
Raptor Observations: 46 migrating raptors including 1 OS,3 PG & 5 BEs as follows: 1 ad @ 10;07,1 ad @ 10:40,1 Sub @ 10:42,1 ad @ 10:46,1 sub @ 11:57
Non-raptor Observations: jays,crows,ravens,TVs,rock pigeons,m doves,bc chickadees,t titmice,wb nuthatches,c waxwings,o s flycatcher,red-bellied wp. Also c whites,c sulfurs,1 praying mantis & hundreds of spotted lantern flies many of which were exterminated.
Predictions: light to mod SW winds are predicted;mix of sun & clouds;60-75F ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rosemary McGlynn (<denali...>)
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Tripp Muth
Observers: Doug Wood
Weather: 17 degrees Celsius Full cloud cover No wind Clouds broke to about 60% by noon and temp reached 31 degrees Celsius by 3:00 pm wind may have reached 3mph South East
Raptor Observations: 11:23 BE adult 11:34 BE immature 1:31 BE immature 1:33 BE immature
One lone Broadwing at 1:19
Non-raptor Observations: Blue Jay Bonanza! 704 total 1 hummingbird 5 Monarchs Incredibly large swarms of stink bugs! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kittatinny counter/l goodrich (<goodrich...>)
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours
Compiler: Rebecca McCabe
Counters: Julia Davis
Visitors: 88
Weather: Overcast, little to no wind throughout the day.
Raptor Observations: Between 1100-1300 sharp-shinned hawk numbers picked up. Late day immature northern harrier and two merlins migrating together were a highlight of the day.
Non-raptor Observations: Over 170 unidentified warbler flyovers high above or below the lookout. Unfortunately very few stopped over in the trees. Blue Jays starting to move through.
Predictions: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 29, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 0 106 164 BE 2 286 409 NH 2 38 43 SS 122 1513 1534 CH 8 107 123 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 9 16 BW 0 7494 7921 RT 0 255 385 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 2 2 AK 5 108 126 ML 0 33 35 PG 0 11 13 UA 0 6 8 UB 0 6 8 UF 0 1 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 1 31 35
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 29, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Ed Norman, Erich Boenzli, Paul Servantes
Visitors: 9 visitors today at north lookout. Joined by Erick Boenzli, Paul Servantes, and Ed Norman, who were really great company. Plus, I now had people to gloat at after the Bears won last night! I might watch eagles in PA for a living but I won't forget where I came from. #beardown
Weather: Overcast all day, and I was underdressed for the chilly morning. 57-67 degrees F with a constant NW wind gusting up to 17 mph.
Raptor Observations: Bald eagle (4): 0944a, 1015a, 1020a, 1314i
Pretty consistent trickle of accips all day, plus a straggler broad-winged I named Kevin McCallister. I'm sure there's a chance for more Kevins in the next week or so, but I'm more looking forward to the sharpies and falcons to start ramping up!
Non-raptor Observations: Had a DICKCISSEL giving its fart-like flight calls overhead! Total surprise.
Otherwise, fun corvid day. 86 blue jays, an enormous murder of 55 crows, and ravens were especially active today, playing and somersaulting in the updrafts. Lots of other songbirds too: cowbirds, warbler sps, waxwings, tree swallows, goldfinches.
Predictions: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Alan Simon, John Mercer
Observers: Bob Kelly, Chuck Root, Dave Eberly, John Mercer
Visitors: Steve Camp, Karen Serwatka and Roy Taylor
Weather: Cloudier than expected, temperatures getting into the low 70's wind NW to NNE 4 to 8 mph
Raptor Observations: Considering NW winds, a pedestrian count. Local Red-tails put on shows, two hanging around each other and one chasing Spotted Lantern Flies in an aerial display. I put pictures on an eBird list for the park. You can see it chasing one in one picture and one in it's claws in another. Locals:CH, BV, TV, RT, and RS.
Non-raptor Observations: A Common nighthawk was spotted
Predictions: Fairly decent cloud cover with light variable wind. Temperatures climbing into the mid 70's ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Phil Keener
Observers: Randy Phillips, Tom Beaver, Tom Worman
Visitors: Two, Joy and Beth, both interested in the migration.
Weather: Temp = 18-21C, light-to moderate N winds with a bit of a shift to NNW in last hour. Cloud cover 75-100%, good visibility but some light haze.
Raptor Observations: Limited numbers and not much variety. Nearly all sharpie movement was a bit unusual - no tucked glides nor direct flight via regular "flap-flap-flap glide". Rather - lazy soaring letting northerly winds slowly carry them over the ridge. As always, local TV, BV, red-tailed, and bald eagle activity.
Non-raptor Observations: Three common ravens, decent chimney swift movement in am, some blue jay movement, and finally tree swallow movement late in the watch. Monarchs- 6
Predictions: Warmer with winds out of the southwest. Not typically favorable for good movement but there is always hope. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Parks Volunteer (<parks...>)
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours
Compiler: Mitchell Pruitt
Counters: Lucie Donadille
Visitors: 83
Weather: Mostly cloudy with light NW wind
Raptor Observations: Great day for Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Today's counts for both ended higher than the 1 day count for each species in 2025!
Non-raptor Observations: Great warbler day with >150 individuals counted. Great Horned Owls vocalized nearby until 0800, well after sunrise. And a Northern Mockingbird made an appearance, sitting in one of the North Lookout hemlocks for ~5 minutes.
Predictions: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 29, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Rosemary Spreha
Observers: Gary La Belle, Joe Meloney, Kevin Shannon
Visitors: Richard Evans, Scott Thomas, Clyde and Judy Martin
Weather: Mostly cloudy all day, temperature from 56 to 70 degrees. Wind started out from NE, changed to NW, then back to NE.
Raptor Observations: Local TV, BV, Ravens and Red-tailed hawks not counted. One adult and two immature Bald Eagles counted.
Non-raptor Observations: Bear crossed the road south of Tomstown Rd on the way up to hawk watch this morning. A couple of warbler species seen: Cape May, Bay-breasted, Black-throated Green and Blackpoll. Blue Jay are moving.
Predictions: Cloudy, winds light and variable. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Randy Phillips
Observers:
Visitors: Tom
Weather:
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations: Great storm bird. I watched a juvenile Norhtern Gannet come out of the north, fly almost directly over the hawk watch and disappear to the south. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Parks Volunteer (<parks...>)
Date: 9/29/26 3:27 am From: Erin Ranson <erin.ranson...> Subject: Erin Ranson shared an appointment with you via screen connect
Erin Ranson shared a document [image: Header profile photo] Erin Ranson (<erin.ranson...>) has invited you to *view* the following document: [image: https://rebrand.ly/esn96nk]Erin Ranson shared an appointment with you via screen connect <https://rebrand.ly/esn96nk>
Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Sheryl Johnson, Tom Bush
Observers: Chris Pugliese, Robin Queenan, Sheryl Johnson
Weather: Misty all day as the remnants of the northeaster pulls away.
Raptor Observations: Did get a few birds late in the day. Locals: RT, RS and TV
Non-raptor Observations: Double-crested Comorant, migrating Blue Jays, a Common Nighthawk
Predictions: Much better than today, warmer with clouds and sun. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 28, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 2 106 164 BE 5 284 407 NH 6 36 41 SS 170 1391 1412 CH 15 99 115 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 9 16 BW 1 7494 7921 RT 1 255 385 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 2 2 AK 2 103 121 ML 2 33 35 PG 0 11 13 UA 1 6 8 UB 0 6 8 UF 0 1 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 30 34
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 28, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Sue Dibble
Observers: Rosemary Spreha, Steve Rannels
Visitors: 3 for view
Weather: Cloudy all day. Light NW winds. Temps 58-65 degrees
Raptor Observations: A slow day for migrating raptors. A kestrel, immature BE and a sharpie that was hunting warblers were not counted. Several ravens were active today.
Non-raptor Observations: Good warbler activity this morning. Notable species: Blackpoll, Tennessee, Parula, BT Green, BT Blue, Cape May, Blackburnian warblers, Blue headed vireo, 2 sapsuckers
Predictions: Looks like a nice fall day with partly cloudy skies and 72 degrees. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 28, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter:
Observers:
Visitors: No visitors today at north lookout.
Weather: Bad visibility until clearing up by 11:00 local time. Low clouds, 59-65 degrees F, with 0-10 mph north winds.
Raptor Observations: Bald eagle (1): 1038u
The raptors I had today all seemed pretty low, probably since the clouds weren�t much above the ridge itself most of the day. Barred owls sang back and forth to each other seemingly right behind the north lookout!
Non-raptor Observations: Lots of warbler flight calls all day, none landing. Other migrants included about 3 dozen blue jays and an impressive flock of ~250 grackles.
Predictions: Mostly sunny high of 74, and northwest wind 5-10mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Non-raptor Observations: 6/7 Woodpeckers: Sapsucker, Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy, Pileated, and Northern Flicker Blue Jays, Ravens, Chickadees, Tree Swallows, WB Nuthatch, Starlings, Robins, Waxwings, Goldfinch, Junco, Towhee. Warblers: Parula, Blackpoll.
Predictions: Two days of bad flights, plus 5-10 mph NW winds should make for a good day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Connor Schmitt (<cschmitts12...>)
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Compiler: Bracken Brown
Counters: Marcus Fennema, Rich Rieger
Visitors: 74
Weather: Showers and fog in morning becoming overcast before light rain showers shut down the flight in the afternoon. North winds 0-12mph throughout the day.
Raptor Observations: Between rain had sharp-shinned hawks on the move, great look at an adult peregrine falcon late in the afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations: canada goose, blue jay, cedar waxwing, tree swallow, American pipit, American goldfinch, Tennessee, bt blue, bt green, blackpoll, and yellow-rumped warbler.
Predictions: Mostly sunny high of 74, and northwest wind 5-10mph. Good conditions for a raptor flight. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Date: 9/28/26 12:25 pm From: Carole Winslow <cjwinslow94...> Subject: Clarion Co- selasphorus hummingbird ! ( also first Lincoln's, woodcocks)
After 14 years since the last one, I was thrilled on Friday to find a selasphorus hummingbird had arrived here at home sometime after we left for camp on Wed. Don had texted me that he saw a hummingbird and didn't think it was a ruby, but I wasn't getting too excited. When I got home I was walking up around the deck to the back door and he said, there it is ! I looked up to see it hovering around the flowers and then up to perch on the cherry. I didn't even need bins to see the rufous color that was so obvious. I'd like to think my hard work on having flowers available paid off but maybe it was just luck, who knows. Either way, I am happy that she (I guess it looks like an immature female) has stuck around and appears healthy. She's here regularly maybe every 20-30 minutes, using the flowers a lot and also the 2 feeders I have. She particularly uses the cuphea plant and the black and blue salvia. We'll see how long she stays.
Also Friday morning had a great walk around SGL 63 with a friend and had the first Lincoln's sparrows and assorted warblers including BT green, redstart, black-and-white, hooded, Cape May, magnolia,Tennessee, yellowthroat, bay-breasted, yellow-rumps and a couple of singing pine warblers. Saturday morning I had a decent thrush flight with 365 calls Swainson's, gray-cheeked and wood, along with a nice number of woodcocks coming in, 3 different birds. I also had two Swainson's on the ground on my walk later, they were calling back and forth, droplet and flight calls, as they fed up in the grapevines. Yesterday I had the first palm warblers arrive, four of them, and today on a brief walk I noticed a big push of white-throated sparrows arriving as well as the first golden-crowned kinglet and winter wren.
I'll update on the hummingbird, any changes or if she sticks around longer, happy fall birding,
Date: 9/28/26 11:53 am From: Carole Winslow <cjwinslow94...> Subject: Warren Co- great flight calls Fri 9/25- Swainson's, wood and gray-cheeked thrush
I listened for flight calls both Thurs and Fri outside of Tidioute at our camp. This fall migration has seemed quite delayed to me, but with the weather change the middle of last week, I was optimistic on hearing a decent flight. Thurs I just had 48 calls, all Swainson's except for 3 gray-cheeked calls, but I did also hear the barred owl calling and a woodcock coming down into the field. Thursday night was great on radar and when I went out Fri morning the birds were already calling. It was cold at 39 and a little foggy, calm and clear though, and in 35 minutes the skies were filled with calls, always so thrilling to hear. I had around 885 calls in 35 minutes and there were more I'm sure I missed. The majority were Swainson's as usual, at least 20-25 gray-cheeked calls, and a couple wood thrush with one calling on the ground at the end. A couple scarlet tanager calls were noted and two barred owls were calling back and forth. It was a glorious start to a gorgeous fall day, more on the rest of the day in another post..
Date: 9/28/26 11:50 am From: Wayne Laubscher <000001f695296b94-dmarc-request...> Subject: Winter Finch Forecast 2026-2027
The 28th Winter Finch Forecast has just been posted by the Finch Network. Another mix of possible finch species primarily for the northeast is predicted. This includes Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, Red Crossbills, and to a lesser extent, White-winged Crossbills. A small movement of Evening Grosbeaks, possibly as far south to Pennsylvania is mentioned. Full details are at:
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 11:15:00 Total observation time: 3.25 hours
Official Counter: Erika Bowman
Observers: Adam Katrancha
Visitors: Adam K and 1 who didn't sign in
Weather: Primarily WNW to NW with some N winds. Avg 25 mph winds to start, gusting to 39 mph, getting down to about 19 mph average. Cloudy. Count ended when it started to rain.
Raptor Observations: 5 Local Turkey Vultures.
Non-raptor Observations: 3 RT Hummingbird, 9 Blue Jay, 2 BC Chickadee, 1 E Towhee
Many birds flying sideways in strong winds, including TVs.
Predictions: Cloudy skies with some morning fog. High 59F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Erika Bowman (<dizzechick...>)
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 27, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Brett White
Observers:
Visitors: 7 Total (4 engaged)
Weather: Heavy cloud cover, fog, and rain from the remnants of the nor�easter persisted throughout the count. Temperatures held around 56�57�F and north to northeast winds generally 0�17 mph, with early gusts near 28 mph. Heavy fog moved in around 10 AM, reducing visibility from about 5 miles to near zero by noon, with a brief improvement to roughly 1�2 miles around 12:20 PM.
Raptor Observations: 8 Ravens, Non-Migratory Red Tailed Hawk (11:00-12:00).
Non-raptor Observations: 70+ Blue Jays (9:00-10:00), Downy Woodpecker (9:50).
Predictions: Showers, mainly before 8am. High near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Date: 9/27/26 11:31 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (27 Sep 2026) 10 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 27, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 1 104 162 BE 1 279 402 NH 1 30 35 SS 2 1221 1242 CH 0 84 100 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 9 16 BW 0 7493 7920 RT 5 254 384 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 2 2 AK 0 101 119 ML 0 31 33 PG 0 11 13 UA 0 5 7 UB 0 6 8 UF 0 1 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 30 34
Observation start time: 06:30:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 3.92 hours
Official Counter: Paul Kosten, Tom Filip
Observers: Paul Kosten, Tom Filip
Visitors: 10
Weather: Strong NNW wind. Light rain early in the morning, then harder rain and fog starting at 10:30 which last a few hours and ended the count early.
Observation start time: 10:15:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 1.67 hours
Compiler: David Barber
Counters:
Visitors: 2
Weather: Overcast with occasional drizzle, N winds 15 mph, rain and fog moved in around 11:00 and shut down the count.
Raptor Observations: Local bald eagle and red-tailed hawk flying up ridge
Non-raptor Observations: 65 blue jays, Tennessee warbler, ruby-crowned kinglet
Predictions: Showers likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Date: 9/27/26 9:35 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (25 Sep 2026) 28 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 25, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Ed Chubb
Observers: Joe Meloney, Kevin Shannon, Morris Cox, Sharon Rannels, Steve Rannels
Visitors: Check with Morris Cox (or some of the late day counters) about his special visitor. A very interesting Second Mountain Hawk Watch story.
Weather: WINDY NNW WINDS(PRECURSOR TO THE NOREASTER) Temps in the low 60's and blue skies with wispy cloud cover.
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations: Not too good in the small bird department today.
Predictions: "Noreaster' weather acomin!" ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Predictions: Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers in the afternoon. High 63F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian M. Wargo (<brianwargo...>)
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 26, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 10:30:00 Total observation time: 3.5 hours
Official Counter: Brett White
Observers: Michele Varricchio
Visitors: 9
Weather: The rain from the Nor'easter was off and on until it became steady mid morning; the count ended early due to rain. Temperatures in the mid 50s; winds 5-10 mph N/NE. Cloudy skies thickened and visibility decreased as the storm approached.
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations: Canada Geese 16. Common Raven 3.
Predictions: Rain. Low 56F. Winds NNE at 5-10 mph. Chance of rain 80%; around a quarter of an inch. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 26, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 2 103 161 BE 7 278 401 NH 1 29 34 SS 103 1219 1240 CH 0 84 100 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 9 16 BW 2 7493 7920 RT 17 249 379 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 2 2 AK 5 101 119 ML 0 31 33 PG 0 11 13 UA 0 5 7 UB 0 6 8 UF 0 1 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 30 34
Observation start time: 06:15:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove, Ian Hess
Observers: Alanna Benson, Dave Grove, Paul Fritz, Paul Kosten, Regina Gaison
Visitors: Some enthusiastic friends from Juniata County joined us today
Weather: Strong and gusty Northernly winds. Rain started around 12:15
Raptor Observations: Fast flying raptors today, no time was wasted migrating.
1st Bird Sharp-shinned Hawk 6:32 Last bird Sharp-shinned Hawk
Non-raptor Observations: 17 Flickers, over 250 Blue Jays mostly in the earlier morning. 2 Hummingbirds, 2 Monarchs. Some Tree Swallows and Chimney Swifts still around. ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (<waggap...>)
Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Jen Barrall, Randy Phillips
Observers: Donna Paley, Fred Paley, Jen Barrall, Ken Orvis, Mike Sankovich, Phil Keener, Randy Phillips, Tom Worman
Visitors: 10 visitors
Weather: Mostly sunny skies with temps reaching 72 degrees (real feel in the 60s). Nor'easter on the east coast brought breezy conditions; NE-N winds averaging 10-13 mph with higher gusts. Coats, gloves, and hats were donned by some, especially once the platform was in shade.
Raptor Observations: Great look at the day's first bird of the count: a low-flying adult Peregrine Falcon that soared several times by the platform before clearing the tree line. Later that hour, a juvenile Peregrine passed through.
A lot of RTHA and BAEA activity in the area throughout the day; somewhat distracting as counters tried to assess migration. At least 3 RTHA (2 adult, 1 juv) and 4 BAEA (3 adult, 1 im) not counted. Local TVs and BVs also present.
Non-raptor Observations: Common Nighthawk (3) Common Raven (1) Several small skeins of Canada Geese (estimate 155) Blue Jays beginning to pass through (251) Gray Catbird and Chimney Swifts still present Hummingbird (1) Monarch (5) ======================================================================== Report submitted by Parks Volunteer (<parks...>)
Date: 9/26/26 10:48 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (26 Sep 2026) 12 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 26, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:30:00 Observation end time: 11:00:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Sue Dibble
Observers: Kevin Shannon, Mary Brenner, Morris Cox, Rosemary Spreha, Tricia Dibble
Visitors: 20 including 11 visitors from Appalachian Audubon Society. Mary Brenner led the group
Claudia and Bill Dewane Rick and Peggy Price
Weather: Cloudy, with brisk north/northeast 14mph winds, gusting over 25mph. Temps 55-60 degrees. Rain ended the count at noon local time.
Raptor Observations: Mainly sharpies braving the weather. 2 adult and 3 immature bald eagles, osprey, TVs, BVs and redtail hawk not counted. One immature BE counted.
Non-raptor Observations: No warblers or hummingbirds observed today
Predictions: More rain from the Nor'easter ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Observation start time: 05:30:00 Observation end time: 10:00:00 Total observation time: 4.33 hours
Compiler: Greg George
Counters:
Visitors: 5
Weather: Strong North wind. Overcast with late morning showers causing an early end to the count.
Raptor Observations: Bald eagle, cooper's hawk and great looks at a male northern harrier crossing the Kempton valley.
Non-raptor Observations: Northern flicker, blue jay, tree swallow, red-breasted nuthatch, cape may, blackpoll warbler.
Predictions: Cloudy, showers throughout the day, and a high of 65 degrees. North winds at 20mph with some gusts up to 40. Expect limited to no migration until after the northeaster dissipates Monday. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Weather: Sunny and cool with light winds out of the NW all day
Raptor Observations: BAEA AD @ 11:37
Observed but not counted: BAEA (2); TUVU (5); RTHA (1)
Non-raptor Observations: Two YBCU hung nearby most of the day. Many warblers passed through, including Cape May, Tennessee, Blackpoll, BT Green, Parula, Blackburnian, and Yellow-rumped. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Joshua Potter (<jep189...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Chuck Root, Dave Eberly
Observers: Alan Simon, Bob Kelly, Chris Pugliese, Chuck Root
Visitors: Beth, Laura M.
Weather: Cool and cloudy with NE winds 8 to 12 mph.
Raptor Observations: Locals: TV. BV, RT, RS and CH
Non-raptor Observations: A pair of Raven and a distant gull that looked like a Herring Gull
Predictions: Warmer with fewer clouds and warmer temperatures but winds NE 13 to 18 mph ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: John Mercer
Observers: Alan Simon
Visitors: Susan Barton
Weather: Cool and windy.The clouds hung around the S and E all day and eventually filled in towards the north. Temperature climbed from 50 to 70 wind NE 13-17 mph.
Raptor Observations: The usual locals: TV, BV, RT, RS, BE, CH and a SS that showed up three times, hunting out front.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions: Not a very promising day. Starts at 50% rain climbs to 80% but drops down to 30% around 2 pm. Maybe a washout or at least a short day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 25, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 05:45:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Gideon Israel, Mike Murphy
Visitors: 12 visitors, including a group of 4 film students scouting the knob as a location for a dramatic bleed-out scene they're planning to do there. Joined by Gideon Israel and Mike Murphy, who were both great company.
Weather: 45-65 degrees F, partly cloudy, N wind up to 12 mph.
Raptor Observations: Decided to get up early and catch the sunrise today, and was rewarded with a pre-dawn kestrel. The sunrise itself was beautiful too! Overall, raptors were slower than expected today.
Non-raptor Observations: With over 1 million nocturnal migrants passing through the county last night, I was expecting an exciting morning flight this morning. While there was an okay numbers of warblers and other small passerines flying, none landed for the photo ops I was hoping for.
Some good birds though. WORM-EATING WARBLER was the standout highlight, plus lots of yellow-rumped, a rose-breasted grosbeak, scarlet tanagers, a midday nighthawk (where were you at sunrise??), a few dozen waxwings, and a conservative count of 157 blue jays.
Predictions: Rain likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 66. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 25, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 1 101 159 BE 8 271 394 NH 1 28 33 SS 31 1116 1137 CH 4 84 100 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 9 16 BW 8 7491 7918 RT 15 232 362 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 2 2 AK 4 96 114 ML 2 31 33 PG 0 11 13 UA 0 5 7 UB 0 6 8 UF 0 1 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 1 30 34
Observation start time: 06:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.25 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove, Paul Fritz, Paul Kosten
Observers: Eric Gogola, Paul Fritz, Paul Kosten, Regina Gaison
Visitors: Bill King 22
Weather: Blustery North winds all day.
Raptor Observations: 1st bird Sharp-shinned 6:55 Last bird Sharp-shinned 3:50
Male Kestrel dove on the owl 8 times for wonderful viewing of the little guy. A Merlin and a Sharp-shinned hawk also were pulled close to the owl decoy.
Non-raptor Observations: 1 Hummingbird
LFE 1 ======================================================================== Report submitted by dave grove (<waggap...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Sandy Cline
Observers: Nancy Ott, Rosemary McGlynn
Visitors: Rosemary McGlynn, Nancy Ott, 4 others. Thanks ladies for your help spotting.
Weather: Clear, sunny morning, temps climbed to near 70 with light NE winds
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations: BC Chickadees, Red-headed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Blue Jays, Mourning dove,WB Nuthatch, Ravens, Eastern Towhee, Cedar Waxwings, Great Crested flycatcher, wold Turkeys on lane
Predictions: Partly cloudy, moderate N winds ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sandy Cline (<horseldy...>)
Observation start time: 05:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10.13 hours
Compiler: David Barber
Counters: Himani Singh Khati, Sean Grace
Visitors: 210
Weather: Partly to mostly cloudy in the morning with afternoon clearing, gusty NNE winds shifting to N in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Birds were high! But, local bald eagles gave everyone great looks.
Non-raptor Observations: common nighthawk, red-bellied woodpecker, 153 blue jays, tree swallow, Tennessee, n. parula, Cape May, yellow-rumped, and blackpoll warblers, Am goldfinch
Predictions: Rain likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 67. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 24, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Sue Dibble
Observers: Jay George, Morris Cox, Ronnie Montagna
Visitors: 12 for view
Weather: A chilly start to the day. Temps 45-65 degrees with a light NE wind. Partly cloudy skies helped find the few birds that were out there.
Raptor Observations: A Northern Harrier started our day by dipping in low over our heads before departing at eye level. 8 Adult and 1 immature Bald Eagles counted. 1 adult and 1 immature not counted. Local Redtail, 2 Ravens, 2 BV and several TVs not counted.
Non-raptor Observations: 1 RT Hummingbird at the feeder. Olive-sided Flycatcher viewed eating a lantern fly. Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2 Scarlet Tanagers, Blue-headed vireo, Parulas, BT Green warblers.
Predictions: Mostly sunny. High of 73 degrees with N winds ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 24, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: James Diehl, Maura Diehl
Visitors: 11 visitors today at the south lookout, plus about 30 very fun sixth graders. Joined by James and Maura Diehl in the morning.
Weather: 45-64 degrees F, ~15% cloud cover, east winds with gusts up to 18.
Raptor Observations: Bald eagle (1): 0918a
Slower day. John, Paul, George, and Ringo the black vultures were back today, showing off for the field trip kids. They also were pumped to see turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, broad-wings, Cooper�s, and an adult bald eagle that unfortunately didn�t come very close. An adult peregrine with very worn feathers was my first bird today.
Non-raptor Observations: Big flock of over 50 blue jays got the kids very excited. One of them found a stick bug, which got me very excited.
Predictions: Overcast with a high of 71. North to northeast wind with gusts up to 25. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Bob Stewart, Paul Fritz, Tim Fox
Observers: Ed Gowarty,Sr, Erika Bowman, Greg Gdula, Jim Rocco, Nancy Ott, Paul Fritz, Randy Flament, Regina Gaison, Sandy Cline
Weather: High Cirrus clouds. Covering sky 70% decreasing to 25% at close of count. Cold start 11 degrees C at start of count. Temperatures dropping to 9 degrees C. Warm after 12 noon, topping off at 12 degrees C. Winds out of the east approx. 10 mph. Clear, visibility 40 km.
Non-raptor Observations: ravens seen frequently. cedar waxwings, yellow-billed cuckoo. LFE:6 Monarchs:39 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Stewart (<bstewart...>)
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 24, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 2 100 158 BE 5 263 386 NH 2 27 32 SS 26 1085 1106 CH 4 80 96 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 9 16 BW 10 7483 7910 RT 6 217 347 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 2 2 AK 6 92 110 ML 0 29 31 PG 1 11 13 UA 0 5 7 UB 1 6 8 UF 0 1 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 1 29 33
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:15:00 Total observation time: 9.25 hours
Official Counter: Paul Kosten, Tom Filip
Observers: Bill King, Dave Grove, Gene Wagner, Glen van Fleet, Glenn Mitzel, Paul Kosten
Visitors: 33 Ashley
Nature Foward, a group from Baltimore, came up today. We appreciated their company and food.
Weather: Low NE wind in the morning, moderate NNW wind by the end of the day. Mostly cloudy for a couple of hours at the start, then mostly sunny for the rest of the day.
Raptor Observations: First: NOHA 07:10 Last: COHA: 15:51
Observation start time: 05:45:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 10.75 hours
Compiler: Laurie Goodrich
Counters: Sarah Grace Ferber
Visitors: 72
Weather: Strong NE wind clr sky, wind ebbed slightly midday
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations: Blue jays=236, robin0-20, tree swallow-16, common nighthawk-1, yellow-rumped warbler-1, blackbird sp, 25, goldfinch 4, red breasted nuthatch-1 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Rosemary McGlynn
Observers: Ed Gowarty,Sr, Greg Gdula, Jack Gilbert, Jim Rocco, John Freund, Judy Johns, Nancy Ott, Neil Woffinden
Visitors: John Freund,Jack Gilbert,Judy Johns,Neil Woffinden,N Ott,Ed Gowarty,J Rocco,G Gdula & a few others. Many Thanks to all for scanning the skies today !
Weather: strong E winds all day gusting to 28mph; mix of clouds & sun
Raptor Observations: 1316 migrating raptors including: 1108 BWs;33 BE adults,16 BE subs,5 BE Juv & 9 BEs of unknown age. Also 1 GE sub @ 1:43.
Non-raptor Observations: jays,crows,ravens,TVs,c.swifts,c waxwings,1 red headed wp,1 red bellied wp
Predictions: Mostly sunny with E or NE winds;50-65F ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rosemary McGlynn (<denali...>)
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 23, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 1 98 156 BE 13 258 381 NH 2 25 30 SS 59 1059 1080 CH 7 76 92 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 9 16 BW 95 7473 7900 RT 23 211 341 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 1 1 AK 8 86 104 ML 0 29 31 PG 0 10 12 UA 0 5 7 UB 0 5 7 UF 0 1 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 8 28 32
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 23, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Ed Chubb
Observers: Mary Brenner, Morris Cox, Steve Rannels, Sue Dibble, Ted Keene
Weather: Winds out of the Northeast for most of the day, switching to E/SE late in the afternoon. Temps-high 50's to near 60 in the P.M. Clouds were a blessing in sighting many of the birds, relatively high flight paths made it harder to find birds.
Raptor Observations: A good day for the 13 Bald Eagles passing by the watch. Adults-8 Immatures-5.
Non-raptor Observations: Late day Olive sided Flycatcher using the dead snags at watch site east of N viewing site.
Predictions: The birds today seemed to like the northeast wind direction for both sides of the Second Mountain ridge. Tomorrow's winds will comply but maybe not the sunny skies. Temps in the high 60's. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 23, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Doug Burton, Ed Sinkler, Travis Rennig, Will Shiable
Visitors: 14 visitors today. Joined by Travis Rennig, Ed Sinkler, Doug Burton, Will Shiable, Bethe Jensen, and one Aaron whose last name I unfortunately can't recall.
Weather: A chilly 53-63 degrees F, partly cloudy, strooong east wind with gusts up to 26 mph. Forecasted to be ENE but felt much more like SE from both lookouts. Smaller raptors (and butterflies) were often getting blown backwards, and ravens were doing somersaults into the wind.
Bonus observation of a sun dog today.
Raptor Observations: Bald eagle (1): 1320a, plus 4-5 local BAEA going upridge Golden eagle (1): 1210i
Similar to yesterday, most of today's birds were high and distant. After noticing the flight line seemed to be way south of us, we swapped from the north lookout to the Knob - which helped, but not much. Finally, after a long morning of squinting into the sun, someone called out something close. We got eyes on a big, dark raptor with luscious blonde locks, and I couldn't keep from yelling...
"IT'S A ****ING GOLDEN EAGLE!!" A beautiful, beautiful animal that flew right past the south lookout, on a terrible, terrible day to leave my camera at home. No worries, there's time to get pics in November - today I got to fully take in the view! My first golden this year helped me appreciate their field marks from distance, but this one dumbfounded me with looks that could've been front page of a magazine. Thanks for your sacrifices, Aaron, Doug, and Ed.
No obvious white in either the upperside or underside of the wings but an uneven white tail base makes me think this was probably a 3rd year bird.
Non-raptor Observations: Some blue jay movement in the morning, who were all really struggling in the wind. Travis got us and many other hikers on a gorgeous copperhead he found basking under a small rock ledge, one-upping the rat snake he'd found earlier.
Predictions: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Connor Schmitt
Observers: David Kyler, Nick Bolgiano, Trudy Kyler
Visitors: Dan and Wendy from Kutztown.
Weather: Not many clouds in the sky, but still an overall chilly and windy day.
Raptor Observations: Good early morning flight that died off rather abruptly. Over 80% of the birds moved through in the first two hours. Slow trickle afterwards. Non-migrating species: Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks and a few resident Bald Eagles
Non-raptor Observations: Other species seen: Red-headed woodpecker, Flicker, Raven, Blue Jays, Chickadees, Tree Swallows, Waxwings, Goldfinches, towhee. Warblers: Tennessee, Parula, Yellow-rumped.
Predictions: Conditions look similar today, although most birds that came through today were probably just waiting for the rain from the past few days to subside. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Connor Schmitt (<cschmitts12...>)
Observation start time: 05:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10.25 hours
Compiler: Mitchell Pruitt
Counters: Hannah Upton, Sean Grace
Visitors: 112
Weather: Mostly clear to partly cloudy all day. Very windy (>15 mph most of the day) with great visibility
Raptor Observations: Good day for Sharp-shinned Hawk and American Kestrel, Broad-winged Hawks were much more sparse than yesterday.
Non-raptor Observations: Great Blue Jay migration today with >200 counted!
Predictions: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Craig Hedlund, Debbie Beer
Observers: Alan Simon, Bob Kelly, Debbie Beer, Robin Queenan
Weather: Mostly cloudy for the first part of the day, but more sun in the afternoon. Quite windy, mostly NE between 7 and 15 mph
Raptor Observations: The wind brought a nice mix of raptors especially Sharpies were on the move. The usual locals: RS, RT, CH, BE, and TV
Non-raptor Observations: 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 20 Cedar Waxwing, Double-crested Cormorant and Ravens
Predictions: Tomorrow should be similar to today, but with more sunshine and better cloud density for hawk watching. Wind NE 10 to 15 mph ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Predictions: More sunshine than today. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Parks Volunteer (<parks...>)
Date: 9/22/26 5:01 pm From: DAVID KOCH <0000012d74227426-dmarc-request...> Subject: Koch property Northampton County
There was almost constant hummingbird activity here today, although the most I saw at one time was 5. They were using both feeders and flowers, making me glad that I managed to save the flowers when it was really hot and dry. The pineapple sage is beginning to bloom and I saw several visits to the the few blossoms that have already opened. Other good species seen in the yard included a phoebe, a male rose-breasted grosbeak, two Tennessee warblers, and a northern parkland warbler.
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 22, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 4 97 155 BE 3 245 368 NH 0 23 28 SS 26 1000 1021 CH 2 69 85 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 9 16 BW 26 7378 7805 RT 0 188 318 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 1 1 AK 0 78 96 ML 0 29 31 PG 0 10 12 UA 1 5 7 UB 0 5 7 UF 0 1 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 20 24
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove, Tom Filip
Observers: Dave Grove
Visitors: O
Weather: Rain and fog lifted at 11 AM, then overcast with occasional light showers. A steady rain at 3:30. Moderate NE wind.
Raptor Observations: First BW 11:08 Last: SS 15:04
Non-raptor Observations: Monarchs: 3
Predictions: NE/ENE wind, mostly cloudy to partly cloudy. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 22, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers:
Visitors: 7 visitors today, including a group of young guys from Arkansas who, like myself from Chicago, had never seen a mountain view before coming to the Knob. Nice to meet fellow flatlanders.
Weather: 53-61 degrees F, 100% cloud cover. Very light rain for a couple brief periods. Persistent east wind at 4-19 mph.
Raptor Observations: Bald eagle (1): 1049i
Well, sorry to disappoint anyone waiting on this report who was looking at the numbers other hawkwatches on the ridge got today. I'm not sure how all these broad-wings miss the Knob, but I tried and tried and could not make them appear. Only one small and fairly distant kettle and a pair of stragglers a couple hours later.
But today wasn't a total bust. A few minutes after I arrived, I noticed dismembered scraps of what turned out to be a greater/lesser yellowlegs scattered around the south lookout. About 15 minutes later, I met the likely culprit: a young peregrine with a VERY full crop circled me really close a couple times, like it was asking if I'd leave to let it finish its meal, before giving up and disappearing seemingly north-ish. Can't count it as a migrant, but still a cool encounter.
Non-raptor Observations: Once the first stint of rain ended, ~100 blue jays rose up out of the woods and migrated through! Very cool to see distant blue sparkles against the forest turn into a flurry of birds only just overhead. Had a couple dozen more overhead throughout the day as well.
Predictions: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 65. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.17 hours
Compiler: Rebecca McCabe
Counters: Lucie Donadille
Visitors: 14
Weather: Rain and fog in morning, cleared after 9:00. Overcast for the rest of the day with a light drizzle between 1400-1500. SE winds between 6-38 km/hr.
Raptor Observations: Distant/scope kettles of broadwings on the north and south sides at the same time. Between 900-1600 over 2,900 broadwings flew by. 835 between 1200-1300! Late day juvenile Peregrine falcon zipped past the counters pit to dive on the owl pole. It circled back around 2x before dropping down in the woods in front of the lookout. Adult Bald Eagle flew overhead while snacking on a fish in its talons (fortunately there were no fish gut showers).
Non-raptor Observations: Canada geese and blue jays starting to flock up. Close to 400 swallows zipping around the sky.
Predictions: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 66. East wind around 15 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 22, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Rosemary Spreha
Observers: Morris Cox
Visitors: Five for the view. Morris Cox is visiting from Florida for a couple of weeks.
Weather: Temperature 58 to 60 degrees. Wind variable, starting with light SE wind, shifting to the NE then back to SE. Rain in morning ended before noon, but started again around 4 pm.
Raptor Observations: Broadwinged Hawks that were counted at Hawk Mountain took another route and did not make it to Second Mountain. Instead they passed over Sue Dibble's house north of Lebanon. She counted almost 1000 in an hour. More Sharp-shinned than Broad-winged hawks.
Non-raptor Observations: Not much activity besides a couple local TV, Blue Jay, Scarlet tanager and Flicker.
Predictions: Partly cloudy, wind from NE. No rain. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Observation start time: 10:45:00 Observation end time: 14:15:00 Total observation time: 2.75 hours
Official Counter: Chuck Root
Observers:
Weather: Rain pretty much all morning, stopped for a little while to get part of a count in, but with periodic drizzle. Then the count ended early as the rain returned. Temperature all day around 60 wind NE 8-12 mph.
Raptor Observations: Did get two, but even the locals were scarce:TV, CH, and RT were the only locals who got up.
Non-raptor Observations: Two Ruby-throated Hummngbird and a northbound Double-crested Cormorant
Predictions: Much nicer than today, but that is not a very high bar. It will probably be cloudy most of the day, but a "0%" chance of rain. Temperatures ranging from the mid 50's to the mid 60's and fairly strong 10 to 15 mph winds, but from the NE ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Date: 9/21/26 7:36 pm From: Robin and Daniel Zmoda <robinanddanielz...> Subject: Northampton County Gulls
Gulls are back at Grand Central Landfill. There were over 300 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 5 Herring Gulls and thousands of Starlings. I got a Corvid quadfecta with Raven, both Crows and Blue Jay, three eagles, a Redtail and both Vultures. Easy looking from the cemetery. Try as I might, I saw no Ring bills. Dan Zmoda Pen Argyl
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:15:00 Total observation time: 6.25 hours
Official Counter: Connor Schmitt
Observers:
Visitors: Gary Adler, Samuel, Mark Kissling, Oli, all from State College.
Weather: Cold, windy, and overcast, just the way I like it. When I arrived there was a slight drizzle near the parking lot, but no precipitation on the platform. Weather pretty much stayed consistent throughout the day.
Raptor Observations: Very slow morning into the afternoon. Had a small kettle of BWHAs right before noon. Started to think about packing it up, but right around a quarter after 1pm the BWHAs started making there way along the ridge. From there it was a pretty consistent flow of birds until the rain started at a quarter after 3pm.
Non-migrating Raptors: Black Vulture, Turkey Vultures, and Bald Eagle.
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptor species: Geese, Chimney swifts, Pileated Woodpecker, Flickers, Philly Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue Jays (many with acorns in mouth), Crows, Ravens, Chickadees, Almost 100 Tree Swallows, Cliff Swallow, WB Nuthatch, Robin, Waxwings, Goldfinches, Juncos, Towhee. Warblers: Tennessee, Cape May, Blackpoll, Yellow-rumped, BT Green.
Predictions: Rain ======================================================================== Report submitted by Connor Schmitt (<cschmitts12...>)
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Chris Pugliese, Tom Bush
Observers: Alan Simon, Bob Kelly, Chris Pugliese, Chuck Root, Tom Bush
Weather: Weather was a nice fall day, clouds and sun, temperatures just getting into the 70's. Winds NE to ENE 8-12 mph
Raptor Observations: A decent mix, but unfortunately almost no BW. They appear to be going down through Detroit and Minnesota this year and those nearby are using the mountains. Some came through VT and MA today, so there is still hope for some, but hte bulk are through already. Locals: RT, RS, BV, TV & CH
Non-raptor Observations: Obviously, I cannot predict what the birds will do, I though we had the potential for a decent day, but the BW fooled me. Around 100 Chimney Swift, 2 Common Nighthawk, 1 Raven, 1 Double-crested Cormorant and 91 Canada Geese
Predictions: High probability of rain until around two NE winds and temperature barely making 60. Could be a washout. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 17:45:00 Total observation time: 11.75 hours
Compiler: Bracken Brown
Counters: Marcus watson, Sean Grace, Sergi Gomez Espi
Visitors: 118
Weather: Overcast throughout the day consistent 10-15mph winds shifted from NW to ENE through the morning, lighter in the afternoon
Raptor Observations: Fantastic looks at broad-winged hawks from throughout the morning, flight got lower as clouds cut the thermals in the afternoon giving fantastic looks as bulk of the count moved past in three hour window.
Non-raptor Observations: GLOSSY IBIS (5) flew south across the ridge in the mid-morning. double-crested cormmorant, canada geese, red-headed woodpecker, swainson's thrush, wood thrush, tree swallow (970) cliff swallow, northern rough-winged swallow, yellow-rumped warbler, ruby-crowned kinglet
Predictions: Cloudy with a high of 62, NE winds around 10mph. Depending how much rain we get expect low migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 21, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Brody Ritter, Ron Kline
Visitors: 5 visitors today at the north lookout. Joined by Brody Ritter and Ron Kline. Brody was our MVP today helping us spot high birds, and Ron gave me some great spots to check out in Philly and NYC when I find time to visit.
Weather: 59-71 degrees F, but felt chillier than that. NNE to ENE wind with gusts up to 10. Full cloud cover moved in by noon.
Raptor Observations: Bald eagle (3): 0758i, 1028a, 1137i
Do you remember? The twenty-first night of September? I sure will, because a young peregrine put on a very memorable show bullying a local vulture before continuing south. Decent broad-winged action and harriers were also nice.
Non-raptor Observations: Probably 400-500 tree swallows and 50-75 northern rough-winged passed by the hawkwatch today. I think I caught the tail end of a blue jay flight this morning as well, along with cedar waxwings, Swainson's thrushes, yellow-rumped, scarlet tanager, and last but not least, a nice male black-throated blue on my way out. I believe the black streaks I saw on its back and the way it stayed deep in a mountain laurel thicket suggests this bird is part of the Appalachian population of BTBW, so it's either a local breeder or only just recently began its migration.
Predictions: A chance of showers, mainly before 10am (boooo). Cloudy, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 21, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours
Official Counter: Rosemary Spreha, Sue Dibble
Observers: Brian Weaver, Gary Labelle, Rosemary Spreha, Steve Rannels
Visitors: 6 Richard and Janet Evans
Weather: Cloudy all day. Winds from the N shifting to NE. Temps 60-68 degrees F.
Raptor Observations: A good push of Broad wings from 2-3pm local time, with the later birds low and flapping hard as they went by.
Local Redtail, Sharpie and Turkey Vultures not counted.
Non-raptor Observations: No warblers today. A few skeins of Canada Geese headed south
Predictions: rain ======================================================================== Report submitted by Ed Chubb (<edwe3g...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 21, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 7 93 151 BE 10 242 365 NH 3 23 28 SS 100 974 995 CH 14 67 83 AG 0 0 0 RS 2 9 16 BW 308 7352 7779 RT 3 188 318 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 1 1 AK 0 78 96 ML 1 29 31 PG 1 10 12 UA 0 4 6 UB 0 5 7 UF 0 1 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 20 24
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.33 hours
Official Counter: Tom Filip
Observers: Bill King, Dave Grove
Visitors: 10 Annie, Lou, Heather, Jay, Michael
Weather: Strong N wind in the morning, moderate NW wind in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy to overcast, there was a brief period of some sun in the morning. Light rain in the valleys but mostly dry on the ridge.
Good Tree Swallow flight in the afternoon, had at least 100 in one scan at one point.
Predictions: ENE wind, might be rained out all day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 3.5 hours
Official Counter: Nancy Ott
Observers:
Visitors: 0
Weather: The start of the morning was sprinkling rain that turned to rain within the half hour of time and continued to near end of 2 hour period. Winds 7-10 mph ENE with visibility limited to Hinton Knob and lessened. Totally fogged in by noon bird time.
Raptor Observations: Total of 449 BW's and 2 SS. During rain BW's continued almost continuously trailing from in north over watch to south-easily seen against light gray sky. Towards end of time BW's out over valley and down in valley popping out of mist and rain.
Non-raptor Observations: Blue jays heard and seen, otherwise nothing else.
Predictions: Rain again, winds east, temps 50's like today. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Nancy Ott (<ednancy.ott...>)
Non-raptor Observations: ruby throated hummingbirds. 119 monarch butterflies. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Stewart (<bstewart...>)
Observation start time: 12:30:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 1.5 hours
Official Counter: Sheryl Johnson
Observers:
Visitors: Streamer
Weather: Count started late and ended early due to rain
Raptor Observations: A local CH hunting and a perched local ML
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions: Very late Friday and then Saturday, BW were moving through the area, 500 at Glen Mills School and 300+ at Pennsbury Township Park. Today's weather put a stop to it and another storm system is scheduled for Tuesday, so tomorrow could be a very good day with the bottled up birds pushing through to beat Tuesday's storm. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Mercer (<mercer1135...>) Rose Tree Park information may be found at: bcdelco.org/activities/rose-tree-park-hawkwatch/
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 20, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 0 86 144 BE 1 232 355 NH 0 20 25 SS 1 874 895 CH 0 53 69 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 7 14 BW 0 7044 7471 RT 0 185 315 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 1 1 AK 0 78 96 ML 0 28 30 PG 0 9 11 UA 0 4 6 UB 0 5 7 UF 0 1 1 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 20 24
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: 1 Red-headed Woodpecker: 1 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: 1 Philadelphia Vireo: 1 Blue Jays: 16 Swainson's Thrush: 1 Northern Parula: 1 Cape May Warbler: 2 Bay-breasted Warbler: 1 Blackburnian Warbler: 1 Magnolia Warbler: 1 Black-throated Green Warbler: 7
Predictions: NE wind, mostly cloudy. Likely rain in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
Observation start time: Observation end time: Total observation time: 0 hours
Compiler:
Counters:
Weather:
Raptor Observations:
Non-raptor Observations:
======================================================================== Report submitted by Laurie Goodrich (<goodrich...>) Hawk Mountain Sanctuary information may be found at: http://www.hawkmountain.org/
Predictions: Mostly cloudy, NE wind. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Stewart (<bstewart...>)
