Date: 8/22/25 3:07 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (22 Aug 2025) 31 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 22, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 1 9 9 BE 3 23 23 NH 3 4 4 SS 1 4 4 CH 1 2 2 AG 0 0 0 RS 1 1 1 BW 13 40 40 RT 5 15 15 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 0 0 AK 1 2 2 ML 0 0 0 PG 1 2 2 UA 0 0 0 UB 0 0 0 UF 0 0 0 UE 0 0 0 UR 1 1 1
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 9.03 hours
Official Counter: Jess Cosentino
Observers: Dave Grove, Gene Wagner, Ian Hess, Pat Freed, Paul Fritz, Pete Biasucci, Regina Gaison, Ron Freed
Visitors: 14
Weather: Following the past two days of wet and foggy weather, today brought sunny skies and warmer temps. High of 73 F with a light variable north wind throughout the count period, Minimal cloud cover with lots of sun
Raptor Observations: A light flow of migrant raptors throughout the morning into the early afternoon made for one of the better flights of the season-to-date, with a nice mix of diversity as ten different raptor species were logged heading south
Broad-winged Hawks passed south down the ridge, often passing incredibly high in pairs and as singles; Northern Harriers were also pushing the altitude limits while passing high over the ridge in the atmospheric ceiling
A young Red-shoulded Hawk passed somewhat close along the north side of the ridge, cutting through on a quick glide before disappearing over the treeline: The first of this species for the fall count and the 100th migrant raptor to be logged this season
The final raptor on the day was a young Peregrine Falcon spiraling high in thermals directly above the ridge for several minutes, slowly circlig higher while briefly pausing to harrass a local young Red-tailed Hawk before peeling off and heading southwest in a long late day glide
Non-raptor Observations: LFE: 144 Hummingbirds: 6
First Bird: BWHA 09:36 Last Bird: PEFA 15:43
A nice burst of warblers heading south down the ridge between 0800-0900; Several stopped briefly in the nearby trees above the hawkwatch and providing good looks before continuing southwest
Chimney Swift 3, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4, Mourning Dove 1, Double-crested Cormorant 2, Downy Woodpecker 1, Northern Flicker 1, Eastern Wood Pewee 1, Red-eyed Vireo 1, Blue Jay 1, Cedar Waxwing 45, Carolina Chickadee 1, Purple Martin 3, Barn Swallow 2, Carolina Wren 1, American Goldfinch 4, Bobolink 1, Brown-headed Cowbird 1, Cape May Warbler 2, Blackburnian Warbler 1, Chestnut-sided Warbler 1, Blackpoll Warbler 2, Black-throated Green Warbler 6, Northern Cardinal 1, warbler sp. 25, Monarch 20
Predictions: Forecast calls for another warm day (high around 80 F) with lots of sun; Winds from the south and increasing in strength throughout the day
Potential rain in the forecast for the following day (Sunday) ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
