Date: 10/28/24 5:11 am From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Bake Oven Knob (27 Oct 2024) 18 Raptors
Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 27, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Rick Morrissey
Observers:
Visitors: The North Lookout we had four visitors, two were immatures on a first date who stayed on the upper rocks for almost an hour. I was trying so hard not to listen, but seemed like it went well.
James Holt, our Community Education raptor intern, had 101 visitors and eight dogs at the South Lookout for a total 105 visitors at BOK today. So now on these Fall weekends, on average, those who visit know a little more about the science of raptor migration, a true wonder of nature. This new feature funded by the Pennsylvania Fish and Game Commission in 2024, in essence is creating the building blocks to re-connect people with nature more than just seeing a spectacular view.
Not in the count, but as I was hiking up to the lookout this morning, just over twenty folks were coming down off the lookout after seeing the sunrise. I polled each group and their responses were 100% ‘amazing.’
Weather: Plentiful sunshine with a low temperature of 36F and a high temperature of 50F when the count concluded at 1400 EST. Winds at the start of the count were WNW, with wind speeds of 3-8 mph. By mid-day wind speeds decreased to 1-3 mph, and at 1400 EST it was calm with winds from the West at 0-1 mph.
Raptor Observations: The morning started with a male Northern Harrier at 0715 EST, a close ‘fly-by’ of a Pileated WP at the owl, just kidding, near the North lookout into the bowl. The second raptor of the day was at 0913 EST, a Cooper’s Hawk on the same flight path as the harrier, slightly above horizon over the northern valley that I did not see until the Pine Tree or ‘finish line.’ An hour later, an adult Red Shouldered Hawk at 1040 EST, which went past the finish line then returned East. Luckily this adult raptor turned due South high over bowl and kept going. The last migrating raptor was a an immature Red Shouldered hawk at 1206 EST.
The late morning Merlin was observed only because having nothing else to do I was observing a Turkey Vulture high over the North Valley past the Pine tree. I would not have seen this Falcon otherwise, but this small raptor was attacking the vulture. Dark bird, attacking another non competitive bird, just pure luck to count this Merlin.
Non-raptor Observations: Pileated WP, seen twice today. Dark eyed Juncos, Pine Siskins, White-breasted Nuthatches, two Ravens, and a Carolina Wren hunting in the leaves between the rocks of the North Lookout.
I may have seen a skoat or a short tailed weasel (Erwine). It was chasing the Wren.
Predictions: Mostly sunny with a high temperature of 62F. Winds light and variable, generally from the ESE @ 5 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
