Date: 10/12/25 5:36 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Second Mountain (12 Oct 2025) 40 Raptors
Second Mountain Ft. Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 10:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Kurt/Sally Kraus
Observers:
Visitors: No birders today. Curious folks driving in and looking out numbered 16. In the final hour 6 boys, likely high school aged, hiked in from down the road and took up seats on a jersey barrier to rest and make bird noises. Levity, I suppose.
Weather: Drizzle ended around 10:00 (EST). Heavy cloud cover remained throughout most of the counting period, opening in the final hour with lifting cover and large patches of blue. Winds were gusty and variable, mostly easterly (ENE). Temperature, humidity and barometric pressure were relatively constant.
Raptor Observations: Raptors were high and played hide and seek with significant low cloud cover. Most took a southwesterly route, appearing late and far right of the observers. A fantastic, clear and relatively low view of a Coopers being tormented by a Sharpie gave a dramatic comparative view of the two species. Observed three adult Bald Eagles and two subadults in high circles appearing disinterested in migration at various points in the afternoon - not included in count.
Non-raptor Observations: Two high altitude Monarchs were observed separately early in the day. A flock of 30+ bluejays passed over head in our first full hour. Six additional blue jays scattered across the afternoon. One of two UB raptors recorded in the 1:00 hour may have been an osprey, but we erred on the more likely side of it being a buteo.
Predictions: Forecast is ominous with 95% chance of rain. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Frederick Wilcox (<Ftw539...>) Second Mountain information may be found at: Facebook. Second Mountain Hawk Watch
