Pennsylvania Sees Raptor Migration Milestones

So far, this autumn’s raptor migration is heading toward some records.  And, for the better since some of our raptor species have enjoyed recoveries in the East.   Hawk Mountain has reported that it has recently recorded its second highest one-day count in the long storied history of counting hawks there.  Research Biologist David Barber did the honors by tallying 36 Bald Eagles on August 26th.   The previous high mark was in 1950 when 48 Bald Eagles were seen sailing south that day. The August 26 tally is the highest one-day count since the DDT-era, and further sign of recovery of this species in the lower 48 states.   The Pennsylvania nesting population of Bald Eagles now probably exceeds 190 nesting pairs.  But, the eagles seen now at Hawk Mountain and other ridges are probably southern birds returning home after their post-nesting dispersal period. 

Raptor migration in Pennsylvania is much more than the legendary Hawk Mountain.   Other ridges and the Allegheny Front are proving to be very important as migration pathways.  The data and location information for these other hawk watch sites  are available from the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) website.  F

September  is a great time to see American Kestrels, Broad-winged Hawks, Ospreys, Red-tailed Hawks, and Sharp-shinned Hawks as well as the “flying planks” --- those Bald Eagles.   So, if you have the time, visit a hawk watch site nearest you.   The daily count as well as the cumulative total for each species is updated each evening on the HMANA website and for Hawk Mountain on the Sanctuary’s website.

Researchers have been involved with a trail-blazing project on Golden Eagle migration in Pennsylvania and the Appalachian Mountains.   A team of ornithologists from various institutions are trapping and putting satellite transmitters on Golden Eagles to study their migration patterns, the linkages to their breeding grounds, and their possible vulnerabilities to various human-caused changes in their environment.  The eastern population of Golden Eagle is unique and Pennsylvania is particularly important for this small population.  For more information, visit the National Aviary website that shows the migration patterns of these magnificent birds and learn more about Golden Eagle research. 

Some locations have been selected as Pennsylvania Important Bird Areas for their high value to migration raptors and their study.  Birders are urged to make eBird reports for any of these locations, including any birds they observe there.  These IBAs include the following locations, but there also are other many locations that have value for raptors in migration:

·         Upper Delaware River Scenic River

·         Hawk Mountain Sanctuary / Kittatinny Ridge

·         Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch Site / Kittatinny Ridge

·         Second Mountain Corridor

·         Greater Tussey Mountain

·         Bald Eagle Ridge

·         Allegheny Front

·         Presque Isle State Park (Lake Erie shore)

The photograph is an Osprey carrying a fish in flight taken by Jacob W. Dingel of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.