ALBANY TWP., Pa. — Hawk Mountain's official autumn migration count has ended, with more than 12,000 trekking birds of prey recorded.
“The 90th anniversary 2024 autumn migration season came to an end on Sunday, Dec. 15, with a total of 12,526 migrant raptors tallied since the start of the count on August 15,” according to a news release from the sanctuary. “The season ended on a high note with a 4th year bald eagle gliding past the lookout, setting a new season-long record of 653.”
The longest running raptor migration count in the world, staff and volunteers at the sanctuary have monitored the autumnal migration since 1934 as part of conservation research efforts. This season, five staff and 14 volunteers spent 1,096 hours counting.
"Season highlights include our 4th highest count of turkey vultures with 880 tallied, and we recorded a Mississippi Kite for only the sixth time in the fall."Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
“Season highlights include our 4th highest count of turkey vultures with 880 tallied, and we recorded a Mississippi Kite for only the sixth time in the fall,” officials said in the release. “However, the count was down overall with the 12,526 raptors counted, falling 21% below the 10-year average and 12 of 16 species having below average counts.”
The number of American goshawks recorded were 67% below average, according to the release. Osprey and broad-winged hawks totals were also below average, at 32% and 31%, respectively.
The sanctuary is at 1700 Hawk Mountain Road in Albany Township, Berks County.
“Hawk Mountain isn’t the only site with low numbers this year; most watchsites in eastern Pennsylvania had below average broadwing counts, and golden eagle numbers were low at all sites across the state,” officials said.
During Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch, which ran from Aug. 15 through Nov. 29, staff and volunteers recorded 9,373 migrating raptors. While the overall count was lower than last year, which saw just shy of 11,000, officials said many species exceeded 2023 totals.
“Our team predicts that there are still migratory birds north of us, as evidenced by the great late-season flight of 16 bald eagles and seven red-tailed hawks on December 12 following a strong cold front,” according to the release. “So, when the conditions are right grab your hand warmers and head to North Lookout to catch some late season migrants!”
Staff and volunteers at Hawk Mountain count migrating raptors twice a year, once in spring and again in the fall.
The 2024 official spring migration count, which ran from April 1 through May 15, ended with 1,001 birds of prey recorded — 6% above the 10-year average.
