jklee@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (James Kin Wah Lee) (08/11/89)
In article <3063@nmtsun.nmt.edu> john@nmtsun.nmt.edu (John Shipman) writes: >Hawk watching is splendid in the fall at the Marin Headlands I've also heard about a legendary place called "Hawk Mountain" which is purported to be somewhere in Pennsylvania. I have a few questions regarding this place: (1) Does anyone know where this is and how one can get there ? (2) When is the best time to go? I already know about the big weekends at Cape May (I'm planning on attending this year) but I would also be interested in seeing Hawk Mountain if possible. Thanks a lot. JIM (jklee@phoenix.Princeton.EDU)
mk2r+@andrew.cmu.edu (Mark Paul Krenitsky) (08/11/89)
>I've also heard about some legendary place called "Hawk Mountain" which >is purported to be somewhere in Pennsylvania. First, I'm not sure of the directions but I can get some eventually. However, some one else will probably post them first. Hawk Mountain(actual name) is in the Appalachians somewhere around Harrisburg,PA. It is a main flyway for all types of raptors in Eastern N. America, and until the 1930's was frequented by hunters. Hawk Mountain is the highest peak in the vincinity (I think, I was only 9 when I was there last) and the raptors just barely clear it. This means that hawks can be in easy viewing range, occasionally even landing on the peak. Some wildlife federation then bought it and stopped the wholesale slaughter. Hearsay : September through November are the months to go, naturally. In September, there is a wide mix of accipeters, buteos, falcons and occasional other raptors. In October the volume increases greatly to maximum, with tremendous flights of Broad-winged Hawks. In November, flights are scattered. Small volume, but the best potential for something unusual. Mainly eagles, ospreys and I think turkey vultures. Hawk Mountain used to be king, until some guy in Cape May proved that IT is the place for peregrines and other falcons, not to mention migrants. Still, it is definitely a worthwhile trip. Arguably, the most bizarre, unexpected, unusual, once-in-a-century sighting happened at Hawk Mountain in the 1950's. There had been great flights of hawks on previous days, but this day was a letdown. Thus, most of the observors were not preoccupied when a small seabird suddenly came from the north, circled Hawk Mountain for a minute or two, and then flew off, not to be seen again. The only record in North America of a Kermadic Petrel, resident of the Southern Hemisphere and native of (I think) the Indian Ocean. A photograph was made, and deliberations went on for twenty years until it was listed as an official sighting, Peterson's Eastern Field Guide lists it as a probable sighting in the back under Unusual Seabirds. Mark Krenitsky
dune@cbnewsl.ATT.COM (Greg Pasquariello) (08/14/89)
In article <kYsWBty00W0-E1N0V3@andrew.cmu.edu> mk2r+@andrew.cmu.edu (Mark Paul Krenitsky) writes: >>I've also heard about some legendary place called "Hawk Mountain" which >>is purported to be somewhere in Pennsylvania. > >September through November are the months to go, naturally. In >September, there is a wide mix of accipeters, buteos, falcons and occasional >other raptors. In October the volume increases greatly to maximum, with >tremendous flights of Broad-winged Hawks. In November, flights are scattered. >Small volume, but the best potential for something unusual. Mainly eagles, >ospreys and I think turkey vultures. September is the best month for broadwings. They will peak around the 20th or so. Large flights of accipiters will begin by the end of Sept, with peak sharpshin flights either late in Sept., or early in October. Both species will continue thru October, but after the monster broadie flights are done, they will be somewhat rare. Although I have never seen a Bald Eagle at Hawk Mountain, they peak at my local mountain (Mt Peter, Greenwood Lake NY), in early September. I believe that if we started our watch in August, they would really be in good numbers in the last week. Kestrels, peregrines, and other falcons come at all times, with most of them peaking in early October. Unfortunately, "peaking" for these species is nothing like a large broad-wing flight. November is indeed the best time for oddities. This is the most likely time for Golden Eagles, Goshawks, maybe some Rough-legs. This is also the best time for Red-tails, as large numbers of them pour down the ridge. Whenever you go, you are likely to be treated to a spectacle. Enjoy! Greg Pasquariello ...!att!picuxa!gpasq