Date: 10/8/25 5:55 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (08 Oct 2025) 216 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 7 7 TV 7 210 210 OS 0 18 147 BE 22 57 288 NH 2 9 88 SS 139 418 1733 CH 9 37 99 AG 0 0 0 RS 1 1 5 BW 0 16 10263 RT 4 29 162 RL 0 0 0 GE 0 4 6 AK 16 29 148 ML 6 8 29 PG 6 22 43 UA 1 7 21 UB 0 1 13 UF 1 3 5 UE 0 0 0 UR 2 13 33 SK 0 0 1
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 18:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Jess Cosentino
Observers: Dave Grove, Jeff Thompson , Jon Gere, Ron Freed
Visitors: 4
Weather: The remainder of last night's front cleared in the first hours following sunrise, with some lingering rain enveloping the ridge but clearing by 10 AM DST. The winds shifted dramatically from the north in those hours leading up to noon (with some gusts well above 20 mph, capable of tossing any hawkwatcher or scope tripod a bit off balance if caught off guard), Temps in low 60s F throughout count period, Heavy overcast post-rain cloud cover throughout the morning with the sun beginning to break through by noon and continuing for the remainder of the count period making for a very pleasant full day of October hawkwatching
Raptor Observations: As expected, the passage of last night's front into this morning brought a big raptor flight along the ridge which lasted for eight consistent hours, well into the final rays of daylight as sunset approached
Rain showers lingered in the first hours of daylight, but cleared slowly by 10 AM. The north winds were raw and blustery, but filled with various raptors on the move down the ridge. Views of birds were quick as they darted through the grey sky while being shot south
The falcon flight was strong throughout the entire count period, as American Kestrels began moving in good numbers in the late morning hours while both Merlin and Peregrine Falcons continued well into the late afternoon leading up until the final hour before sunrise
The raptor flight continued steadily leading up to sunset, as Sharp-shinned Hawks continued to materialized up the ridge and pass along the north side - often in pairs, sometimes alone
First bird TUVU 09:06 Last bird SSHA 17:41
Non-raptor Observations: Canada Goose 8, Chimney Swift 6, Common Loon 1, Blue Jay 10, Tree Swallow 75, Monarch 3
LFE: 1 Monarch: 3 Hummingbirds: 0
Predictions: Another cooler day in the low 60s F, with moderate north winds (beginning north, shifting northeast later in the day) ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
