Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 01, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Rick Morrissey
Observers: Edward Sinkler
Visitors: The first two hours of the count was on the South Lookout where I was pleased to meet five visitors, and I took one visitor (Joe from Cherryhill, near Northampton, Pa), and his dog Rio, to the North Lookout. Joe was on his way to the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.
We had one visitor to the North Lookout, Ed Sinkler, who should 'go pro' as a disc golfer yet I sense resistance. Actually he clearly said 'no.'
Weather: Full cloud cover with good visibility at the start of the count, and as the day progressed it was absolutely clear and sunny with spectacular views. The low temperature at 0700 EST on November 1st was 61F, with a high temperature of 67F. Winds on average were 8-12 mph throughout the day, yet there were wind gusts throughout the day as well of 18-24 mph. As the day progressed, those wind gust were much more frequent in the afternoon. Winds most of the day were surprisingly WNW, with the afternoon a little more westerly.
Raptor Observations: Albeit seven eagles in one day is nice number indeed, spending this day hanging onto my hat, listening to the wind racing through the trees, I was anticipating a more consistent flow of Redtails and maybe a Golden Eagle or two
Most of the raptors counted today were in the 10-1200 EST hours. Six out of the seven Bald Eagles were observed in the afternoon with no 'late push' as was seen at Hawk Mountain. Other than the Bald Eagles, there were only three counted raptors in the afternoon
A part of me sees this as 'padding the count', but right before I was going to stop the count at 1600 EST, I see a huge kettle of vultures over the old Kmart near Slatington. There was an estimated 87 Turkey Vultures, which for me was the largest I have observed at BOK. Therefore, in the tradition of being 'Quigged', I stayed another 30 minutes.
Non-raptor Observations: Female Hairy Woodpecker, Carolina wren, just a few Blue Jays, 12 ravens throughout the day
So, my last count for this season and I spent the last 30 minutes of this count just 'taking it all in.' I reflected on this season, what a great team of interns and observers, and I was lucky to see most of the longtime observers which for me is 'everything', the birds are just 'icing on the cake.'
I took a few minutes just slowly scanning the North Lookout. Fifty years or so ago, there were two observation groups of hawk counters, at opposite ends of the rock outcropping. More than cliques, it was tension on the Knob. Which count 'counted?'
Then new leadership at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center, slowly the tide changed, it was that new group of people who welcomed me to the Bake Oven Knob hawk watch. Dan Kunkle, Bob Hoopes, and Ron Kline, the expert raptor specialists who I learned what I know about hawk identification, but much more important, how to bring people together. People who hike up to BOK, maybe to see a bird, more to be a part of a community of friends.
I will miss everyone for a short period of time, until we all gather again next Fall. This place just makes me feel good. Be well, stay well all!
Predictions: Sunny, high 59F with winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
