Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 19, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.08 hours
Official Counter: Rick Morrissey
Observers: Adam Bradley, Greg Grammes, Linda Blacketter
Visitors: We had 174 visitors today, five shy of our total raptors which was 179, yet there were 6 dogs so our visitors win! Many thanks to Linda Blacketter as a volunteer observer and her many 'high bird sightings,' and BTW, your are NEVER late!
A welcome sight was Alexis from the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club with a number of volunteers who were on the trail harvesting Mountain Ash seeds to plant in designated places along a 65 mile stretch of the AT which the club maintains. They also partner with the PA Game Commission with the eradication of graffiti of the BOK observation points. When Alexis told me of their work, in particular the graffiti, I was going to give her a hug but then again we just met, so an enthusiastic fist pump had to do.
A great conversation with Jim from Coeur d' Alene Lake in Northern Idaho. Jim started in Northern New Jersey on the AT and stopped for the view. I asked Jim how far he was going on his section hike, he responded 'Until it is no longer fun.' I looked up Lake Coeur d' Alene, named after the Coeur d' Alene people, an amazing place, instant bucket list for me. Jim is 75 years young, these are the caliber of people you meet at BOK.
Last yet certainly not least, a welcomed visit by Dan and Lee Kunkle. Dan is the former Executive Director of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center, and not that he should receive any recognition for this, but he is the one who encouraged me some 20 years ago that I had some skills to identify hawks, be an observer, lead the count on weekends, have the best volunteer 'gig' ever. We used to talk baseball, now we talk about our grandchildren and the great outdoor experiences we have been up to with them, and we still talk baseball of course! We had 3 Peregrines and a Goshawk on this day's count, yet seeing Dan and Lee was my take home highlight of the day.
Weather: The low temperature today was 52F at 0800 EST, high temperature was 64F at 1200 EST and remained 64F for the remainder of the count. There was a dense haze from 0800 until 1100 EST, which limited visibility to under 10 miles, then visibility increased to 20-25 miles in the afternoon. East winds most of the morning at 8-12 mph, gusts up to 17 mph. The afternoon was down right blustery, partly sunny, winds from the Southeast at 8-24 mph with gusts up to 27 mph.
Raptor Observations: We had 13 species today, 'ran the table' for Accipiters and Falcons with the first raptor of the day an adult Peregrine and then at 1049 EST a Goshawk. One of the four Northern Harriers was a male 'Gray Ghost' that was first seen at slope # 5 and it flew across the bowl then turned down ridge West, which is the long way to say 'we had a nice panoramic look' at one of our favorite raptors voted by the BOK crew of observers. The accipiter flight lasted a good four hours, some came in close for great views, yet most Sharpies in the late afternoon were high over Mountain Road.
Non-raptor Observations: Four Ravens throughout the afternoon, 28 Canada geese, many slate colored Juncos, six Robins, a smattering of Tree swallows, Downy WP, Pileated WP (heard).
Predictions: Mostly sunny with a 40% chance of showers. Cooler with highs in the low 60s. West winds 15-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
