Date: 11/16/25 3:38 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (16 Nov 2025) 152 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 16, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 11 TV 30 355 1610 OS 0 0 149 BE 11 211 654 NH 0 19 148 SS 2 79 2696 CH 4 32 233 AG 0 1 4 RS 2 36 93 BW 0 0 10265 RT 74 474 935 RL 0 0 0 GE 26 84 128 AK 0 0 165 ML 1 9 60 PG 0 6 60 UA 0 1 41 UB 1 9 34 UF 0 0 6 UE 1 3 3 UR 0 6 59 SK 0 0 1
Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 16:45:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Jess Cosentino
Observers: Brad Lanning , Dave Grove, Dave Stimeling , Debbie Spinelli, Gene Wagner, Jeff Thompson , Laura Minnich, Meredith Lombard, Pete Biasucci , Tim Johnson
Visitors: Tom Humphrey and the Fredrick Bird Club (Maryland) (7), 15, One dog
Weather: Following the passage of last night's front, winds shifted dramatically to the northwest and began to pummel the ridges for the next eight hours following sunrise, Northwest winds were steady throughout the first morning hours following sunrise and were consistent well into the noon hour while gaining intensity and ranging between 25-31 mph (with gusts exceeding 47 mph)
Around 1:40 PM, the ridge was enveloped by a burst of graupel, Temps began to drop in the afternoon into the 40s F as a large wall of snow appeared stretching across much of the valley to the north while passing steadily east, Late afternoon saw light snowflakes on the ridge at times
Lots of sun all day with a mix of light cloud cover
Raptor Observations: As the sun set on the ridge yesterday, optimism lingered in the air. While the sun rose this morning, sturdy northwest winds delivered with the best Golden Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk flights of the season so far.
The northwest winds were churning in the first hours of daylight, and raptors jumped on the opportunity to get moving. The first few Goldens appeared along the north side of the ridge, passing somewhat close and moving quickly. The third Golden of the morning appeared briefly up the ridge alongside a Red-tailed Hawk before dropping into a stoop on the large buteo, chasing it off it, and continuing to pass south. The flight lines for Golden Eagles all morning were variable, with some appearing distant to the north passing along the valley while other appeared overhead cutting directly above the ridge, while other eagles shot up low and closer to the ridge itself along the north side. The hours leading up to noon felt chaotic at times, with a different Golden appearing in view every few minutes while scanning the sky. In the final minutes leading up to noon, there was a run of four Goldens within five minutes - all birds (of different age classes) cutting across the skyscape at different distances, providing one of the most exciting stretches of the entire count period.
The count hit 10 Golden Eagles just before the noon hour, and the northwest winds had picked up in intensity as blustery gusts almost hitting 45-50 mph were slamming down hawkwatchers below. A steady push of Red-tailed Hawks continued for most of the morning into the early afternoon, with large buteos being spotted every few minutes while passing south. A few Red-shouldered Hawks were also spotted passing quickly on the leeward side of the ridge. A few Bald Eagles passed south in the steady winds, while a cohort of local birds continued to linger in the valleys to the north all day. While scarce in November, both Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks passed as individuals at different times, often very high above the ridge and darting south in the heavy wind.
The noon hour continued the Golden momentum with six additional birds, and continued strong until around 4 PM. Several late afternoon Goldens were spotted incredibly distant to the northwest as they cut southward towards the ridge, dropping low into the valley before disappearing and reappearing several minutes later much closer, shooting high up into the atmosphere using the updraft lift from the northwest winds hitting the ridge. Several Goldens ran this similar line, gaining altitude quickly before continuing south.
The final hour before sunset often provides some of the best views of migrating raptors, as the late day light illuminates birds as they pass along the ridge. This was the case with one of the final Golden Eagles on the day appearing north of the ridge as it continued to glide its way south, passing quickly as a distant snow squall shared the backdrop.
By the time the sun had begun to set on the horizon, a fantastic Golden Eagle flight has passed along the ridge, lasting nearly the entire day.
First bird BE 9:09 Last bird BE 16:25
Non-raptor Observations: Snow Goose* 80, Common Loon 3, Common Raven 4, Cedar Waxwing 78, Carolina Wren 1, American Robin 4, Purple Finch 12, American Goldfinch 3, Dark-eyed Junco 3, Red-winged Blackbird 31, Common Grackle 40
*First Snow Goose flock of the fall heading north to south distant to the northeast of the ridge
Predictions: Tomorrow brings a second day of northwest winds (18-21 mph), heaviest by late morning into early afternoon, Temps will be a bit lower than today (High 47 F with a bitter wind chill that will likely feel lower)
Optimism provided a great flight today. It seems best to remain optimistic that tomorrow could also potentially bring another great raptor flight down the ridge and valleys as conditions continue to appear favorable.
If you missed today on the ridge, tomorrow is probably a great opportunity to see some birds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
