Date: 11/5/25 2:26 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (05 Nov 2025) 122 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 11 TV 47 160 1415 OS 0 0 149 BE 13 70 513 NH 2 11 140 SS 10 50 2667 CH 1 13 214 AG 0 0 3 RS 4 27 84 BW 0 0 10265 RT 34 166 627 RL 0 0 0 GE 7 22 66 AK 0 0 165 ML 2 4 55 PG 1 4 58 UA 0 1 41 UB 1 5 30 UF 0 0 6 UE 0 2 2 UR 0 4 57 SK 0 0 1
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Jess Cosentino, Ron Freed
Observers: Betsy Shaver, Gary LaBelle, Gene Wagner, Jeff Thompson , Joe Lavella, John Meyer, Katherine Weber, Ron Freed
Visitors: 9
Weather: High mid 60s F, Steady SW wind throughout the entire count period, Cloudless blue sky early on with cloud cover moving in later into the afternoon/early evening hours
Raptor Observations: At 9:20 an adult golden eagle appeared, interacting with an adult bald eagle. Then it assumed a kiting position into the southwest wind and stayed at the same spot for fifteen minutes, and then drifted down below the trees on the north side. A half hour later it appeared again in the same area, kited for several minutes, then went into a glide over the ridge heading south
The movement of Golden Eagles continued throughout the late morning, with almost all birds passing distant over the valley to the north of the ridge - cutting steadily southwest. The views were challenging, often requiring a scope to get adequate looks, but the push of three Goldens in the 10 AM hour was a nice uptick in raptor momentum. One of the late morning Goldens was first seen distant to the north being harassed by an unkindness of ten Common Ravens as it circled high in a thermal over the valley before tucking into a lengthy glide to the southwest
A lone Grey Ghost male Northern Harrier cut quickly across the south side of the ridge just before noon, as a mix of both Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks pushed steadily along the ridge as well. The Red-shouldered Hawks were often passing along the leeward side of the ridge, while the Red-tailed rode the windward side as the southwest gusts created plenty of updraft for the large Buteos to ride southward
The final Golden Eagle of the day appeared in the same location to the north of the ridge, circling in a thermal below a pair of Turkey Vultures. Both vultures flapping heavily to find extra lift to create distance between themselves and the rising eagle, until the Golden eventually tucked into a glide taking it southwest over the entire valley to the north
First bird SS 7:55 Last bird RT 15:14
Non-raptor Observations: Cedar Waxwing 9, Horned Lark 8, American Pipit 34
LFE 0 Monarchs 0 Hummingbirds 0
Predictions: Tomorrow brings stronger (13-15 mph) northwest winds overnight into the first hours following sunrise, which will persist well into the afternoon hours. Temps will drop considerably compared to today, high of 55 F
It will feel like early November on the ridge, with favorable conditions for raptor migration. We are entering the time window for good Golden Eagle movement and tomorrow could potentially bring a strong flight of Goldens down the ridge and adjacent valleys, alongside Red-tailed Hawks and other late season raptor species
If you're reading this and debating coming up to the ridge tomorrow, come up to the ridge tomorrow ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
