Date: 12/4/25 3:18 pm From: Hawkcount.Org Reports <reports...> Subject: Waggoner's Gap (04 Dec 2025) 24 Raptors
Waggoner's Gap 40 km W of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 04, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- BV 0 0 11 TV 0 1 1634 OS 0 0 149 BE 6 19 820 NH 0 0 153 SS 0 1 2714 CH 2 2 244 AG 0 0 4 RS 0 5 124 BW 0 0 10265 RT 10 27 1319 RL 0 0 0 GE 5 9 219 AK 0 0 165 ML 0 0 60 PG 0 0 61 UA 0 0 42 UB 0 0 37 UF 0 0 6 UE 0 0 3 UR 1 2 65 SK 0 0 1
Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Jess Cosentino
Observers: Dave Grove, Gene Wagner, Jeff Thompson , Ron Freed
Visitors: 0
Weather: High in mid 30s F by noon, with overcast morning sky clearing with a good bit of sun by early afternoon, Early morning winds were weak but gained strength by noon, NW winds oscillating between moderate and weak
Raptor Observations: The first bird of the morning brought an adult Golden Eagle close and low to the ridge along the north side, popping up from the treeline as if it may have just been lifting off for the day before continuing southward. The next two Golden Eagles of the morning would follow near identical flight lines, offering close looks as they passed along the north side of the ridge at relatively close distances. Several large, young Cooper's Hawks followed a similar close line throughout the day as well.
As the northwest wind gained strength, Goldens and other raptors found considerable lift and gained altitudes that brought them high into the atmosphere. The last two Golden Eagles of the afternoon were spotted as distant darkened specks barely scraping above the horizon line to the north. Both eagles followed similar flight lines despite passing hours apart, pointing south and cutting directly in towards the ridge over several minutes. Once the birds reached the north side of the ridge, they appeared to find ample lift and rose high off the updrafts until they were spiraling in the ceiling of the sky. By this time of the late afternoon, the low angle of setting sun was providing some of the best light of the day - illuminating each bird's chocolate plumage with each rotation against the cold late day blue.
Non-raptor Observations: Canada Goose 904, Snow Goose 1, Tundra Swan 24, duck sp. 20, Common Merganser 4, Ring-billed Gull 71, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Common Raven 6, Cedar Waxwing 22, Tufted Titmouse 3, Carolina Wren 2, American Robin 28, finch sp. 2, Purple Finch 4, RED CROSSBILL 7, American Goldfinch 28, Dark-eyed Junco 5, White-throated Sparrow 2, Northern Cardinal 1
Predictions: Temperatures will drop to potential record lows this evening, with tomorrow reaching highs in the upper 20s F. Southwind throughout the count period ======================================================================== Report submitted by WG Counter ()
