Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.25 hours
Official Counter: Rick Morrissey
Observers: Adam Bradley
Visitors: No surprise that visitation was not on anyone's list in the early morning hours, then we had a fairly steady stream visitors until about 1530 EST. There was a total of 63 visitors and six very well behaved dogs. Had a really nice conversation with Jackie from King of Prussia, and her good friend Sean. Sean lives near the Grand Canyon, and works there as well, although he is on furlough. For some reason Alaska was a central theme of many conversations today, although no mystery, my wife and I have a trip planned next July to Alaska. Sean told me that he ran the Alaskan 'Midnight Sun Run' a few years back, and when going thru towns everyone wanted to give him 'beer hydration.' Duly noted, I should start training now. Hmmm, which first? Running or drinking beer?
Weather: The low temperature was 53F, with a high temperature of 62F at 1400 and 1500 EST. Winds were variable throughout the day which was confusing to this hawk counter, yet generally ENE in the morning hours. In the afternoon, still shifting winds generally from the NE. Wind speeds were moving the trees and felt much stronger, but my anemometer was giving me 8-14 mph with regular gusts of 12-15 mph throughout the count. Cloud cover was 100% with periods of light drizzle until mid-morning, then surprisingly the skies opened up a bit with 75-95% cloud cover until high clouds returned @ !00% the last two hours of the count.
Raptor Observations: The OP today was the South lookout, 'good call Adam' as he arrived first. The first raptor of the day, an Adult Shapshin Hawk at 0726 EST, and the last raptor counted, Sharpshin Hawk at 1544 EST. An outstanding look at an adult BE that appeared very close to the ridge coming from the South, no binoculars needed as it flew into the bowl not much higher than the OP. About 30 minutes later, possibly the same Adult BE that was further out over Mountain Road, coming from the South side of the ridge heading East, then hooking up with another adult BE from the slope of # 1 with both heading Southeast and not counted. Two Broadwing Hawks, flying very high over the South OP, yes just two but pretty cool nonetheless. Three Merlins, all in the 1300 EST hour, one close enough to determine it was an adult.
Bald Eagle (1) - 1329 (adult)
Since 1961 BOK has a Turkey Vulture protocol for our hawk watch site which is the highest number we see at one time, not cumulative per hour. Adam spotted a kettle of TVs over #3 ridge that just kept 'going up', and in a very similar manner of BWs, they streamed just South of the OP where we fairly easily counted them. Quite the spectacle, a real migratory behavior.
Non-raptor Observations: First things first, it was a pleasure to work with Adam Bradley for the first time this season as we both led the count. Adam is our extraordinary lead BOK counter Monday thru Friday, and he is generously lending significant personal time helping with the count on the week-ends. To all raptor enthusiasts, take this opportunity to improve your raptor ID skills by coming up to BOK on the weekends. It is reminiscent to me when I paid for such raptor ID training in Cape May some years back. Hey, and when the 'big birds' start moving, you could also bird with the likes of Hazelton John, Gator, Guitar Dave, Dr. Merlin Ron K, 'High Birds' Eddie W, 'Rock and Roller' E Sinkler, Richard "Just Richard" when his ankle heals (Get well soon), our resident photographer B Astelford who keeps us honest, the always welcoming 'Most Saturdays' Michele, then possibly probably 'the bearded Burton,' always early morning Travis, John who is 'better than Good' when he isn't farming or going to soccer tournaments, Scott 'the Key Master,' and geez, a host of other gentle souls who will be upset with me for not listing them. Guilty as charged.
Secondly and maybe lost in the 'shuffle,' a single Common Loon which is probably not common. Also, two ravens today, just a few Bluejays, the afternoon had a good number of tree swallows.
Predictions: Periods of rain with highs in the upper 50s and winds 15-20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
