Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 10, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 0 TV 0 0 0 OS 2 14 46 BE 2 40 107 NH 1 7 15 SS 5 10 26 CH 4 14 22 AG 0 0 0 RS 0 2 3 BW 47 161 307 RT 0 17 81 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 0 0 AK 0 4 13 ML 1 5 5 PG 0 1 5 UA 1 2 3 UB 0 1 6 UF 0 0 0 UE 0 0 0 UR 0 2 4 SK 0 0 1
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Dave Grove, Jess Cosentino, Ron Freed
Observers: Dave Grove, Jess Cosentino, Katherine Weber, Ron Freed, Steve Espamer
Visitors: 9
Weather: A chilly morning with temps around 57 F, overcast, and northwinds but gradually warming up with a nice mix of sun and cloud clover, Winds became variable by afternoon and sometimes shifted east but then returned to N/NW at times
Raptor Observations: The first two hours of the count were on the slower side; however, by 0900 a nice morning liftover of Broad-winged Hawks began and small groups of birds began rising up to the north of the ridge and gliding southward along the north side just above tree top level. A few groups seemed to gain some lift off the north winds hitting the ridge before gliding out, while a small group was seen later in the morning rising high over the valley to the south of the ridge and gliding southwest
The raptor movement began with a Sharp-shinned Hawk cutting low across the ridge, followed shortly after by an adult male Northern Harrier and Osprey after that, before the first lift off of Broad-winged Hawks rose up over the trees up the ridge. This all occured within the same eight minute window shortly after 0900.
A few local Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles lingered around the valleys, with a few making passage south as well
First bird: SSHA 0913 Last bird: Unknown Accipitrine species (COHA/SSHA) 1517
Chimney Swift 7, Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Cedar Waxwing 10, Tree Swallow 11, Red-breasted Nuthatch 2, Grey Catbird 1, American Goldfinch 4, warbler sp. 2, Monarch 3
Predictions: Temps will warm up again into the low 80s F possible, Lots of sun and some cloud cover, North winds (5-10 mph) throughout the count period
======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
