KEMPTON, BERKS COUNTY, Pa. — Hawk Mountain's official spring migration count has started.
“We kicked off the spring count with northwest winds that would make any fall hawk watcher happy,” according to a Tuesday newsletter from the Berks County sanctuary.
“It has been a turbulent start to the count with northerly winds bringing clear skies while the southerly tail winds arrive damp and linger in the region.
“Despite this we are off to a solid start with 70 migrants on the count, a high-flying group of northbound black vultures kicking the season off!”
Almost 100 migrating birds of prey have been recorded since April 1, when this year’s count started.
The count continues through May 15.
In an effort to promote conservation and monitor species, officials at the sanctuary, as well as volunteers, have monitored the spring raptor migration since the 1960s, with an average of about 1,000 raptors each 45-day season.
The first week included “a nice variety of migrants,” officials said — especially a dark morph red-tailed hawk.
“This bird rose up in the Kempton valley before it made its way north, crossing the ridge in front of the lookout providing ample views,” according to the release.
'Hot on the heels'
So far, counters have recorded: 16 red-tailed hawks, 10 American kestrels and 13 bald eagles, among others.
While there have been several dozen raptors recorded, officials said “non-raptors have been sparse, not surprising given the time of year.”
“While the spring at north lookout does not boast the same morning flights of neotropical songbirds as the fall, we can expect our breeding warblers to begin moving through the region at the end of April, hot on the heels of our broad-winged hawk push.”Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
“On April 5th, an adult Bonaparte’s gull passed the lookout and a few common loon, ring-billed gull, barn swallow and northern rough-winged swallow were also spotted during the week,” according to the release.
“While the spring at north lookout does not boast the same morning flights of neotropical songbirds as the fall, we can expect our breeding warblers to begin moving through the region at the end of April, hot on the heels of our broad-winged hawk push.”
Last year's spring migration count ended with a record set for the number of bald eagles recorded soaring past the lookout.
Raptor species totals are updated daily on Hawk Mountain’s website.
