Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 14, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:15:00 Total observation time: 6.25 hours
Official Counter: Rick Morrissey
Observers: Brett White, Doug Burton, Ed Sinkler, Michele Varricchio
Visitors: First things first, our BOK 'A' team observers today by order of appearance, Doug Burton (Butterfly Whisper), Brett White - our new Fall weekend counter and educator, Ed Sinkler - Quality Control Manager, Michele Varricchio - Director of Talent Management, Acquistions, and Retention: Jeff Hopkins - BOK hawk counter emeritus, and Kathy Romano who tended the LGNC native garden in the morning, helped us on the ridge, then checked on the some possible nesting Falcons in the afternoon (just another day supporting the environment).
We had a great conversation with Justin from Allentown with his 3 month old son Theoden (Teddy). Welcome young Teddy to Bake Oven Knob! We also had 16 additional visitors for a total of 18.
Weather: Partly cloudy with plentiful sunshine, with haze limiting visibility to about 20 miles. Wind speeds were 1-3 mph early in the day, increasing to 4-7 mph with gusts up to 12 mph in the afternoon. Morning light winds were from the Southwest, changing to West Southwest in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: We started the count on the South lookout picking up a few Broadwings, 1 to 2 at a time. At 1029 EST we had an immature Bald Eagle flying high on the south slope headed west. Late morning before noon, based on some great 'intel' we moved the count to the north slope directly across from the normal South lookout. In about 90 minutes we observed 40 of the total 49 Broadwings that were flying directly over the north slope of the ridge, giving us warbler neck seeing most between branches. In twenty plus years of counting, unprecedented!
At 1300 EST, we moved back to the traditional South lookout and spotted two more high flying, single Broadwings and ended the count at 1415 EST.
At 1408 EST while packing up, a low flying large raptor was spotted in the 'bowl.' This non-migrating Bald Eagle flew by the South slope and then down ridge headed West. Not counted yet this was a great look that lifted our spirits and gave us a 'skip in our steps' as we walked down the trail to the parking lot. A slow day leaving on a high note, spending the day with good friends, some who I have done this 'gig' with for almost twenty years, some who I recently met. I'd do this for free. Actually, we are all volunteers, it is just what we do!
Predictions: Mostly sunny, hot with highs in the upper 80's. Winds will be Southwest 10 to 15 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
