ALBANY TWP., Pa. — Hawk Mountain's official spring migration count has ended with just shy of 1,200 birds of prey recorded — 25% above the 10-year average.
“A red-tailed hawk ended the spring count … with clear skies and light [northerly] winds making for a pleasant day on the lookout,” according to a news release from the Berks County sanctuary.
- The spring migration count at Hawk Mountain ended May 15
- Officials and volunteers recorded more than 1,100 birds
- The highest daily count was April 21, when more than 200 broad-wing hawks were tallied
“This season included some challenging conditions as clear skies and unfavorable wind kept many birds at a distance.”
During the spring migration count, which runs from April 1 through May 15, volunteers and staff tallied more than a dozen birds of prey, officials said.
The highest daily count was recorded April 21, when more than 200 broadwings soared by the mountain. While there were more turkey vultures and bald eagles tallied than seasons prior, osprey numbers dropped, according to Hawk Mountain.
Staff and volunteers at the sanctuary have monitored the spring raptor migration since the 1960s, with an average of about 1,000 raptors each 45-day season, according to the organization’s website.
One-day peak counts can reach more than 100 birds in mid- to late-April.
"This increase resulted from the three flight champions: turkey vultures, broad-winged hawks, and bald eagles."Hawk Mountain officials
“This increase resulted from the three flight champions: turkey vultures, broad-winged hawks, and bald eagles,” according to the release. “Wind and overcast conditions during peak broadwing passage worked to keep migrants detectable from the lookout.”
Officials counted more than 600 broadwings, 41% above the 10-year average, according to the release. More than 170 turkey vultures were tallied — a 214% increase.
“Local and migratory bald eagles were also a reliable view from the lookout with 63 migrants counted, perching them 50% above their average,” officials said.
“Most of our migrant raptors came in on par with their averages, but osprey continue to drop as the 46 individuals counted landed 28% below the 10-year average.”
Volunteers also counted non-rapture species, tallying 62 types of birds from the lookout.
“Highlights included common loon and flocks of double-crested cormorant, and blue jays had a strong migration with large mobs observed moving above the canopy for several weeks,” according to the release.
“Overall, the counters saw eight species of warbler, with blackpoll warbler being the last species added to the spring count.”
For more information, visit www.hawkmountain.org.
