Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 30, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:15:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Rick Morrissey
Observers: Brett White, Kathy Ramano, Mark Capozzoli
Visitors: There were 64 visitors today, and we engaged with 32 of them, kids got to borrow our binoculars, go junior hawk counters! We met Johel and his nice family. Johel and Sara are part owners of 'Go Tico,' an Eco tour travel agency for trips to Costa Rico. Music to a birder's ears, a bucket list trip maybe?
Today was a very special day for Dennis and Michele from Allentown, and for all of us, let me tell you why. Forty years ago their relationship was moving along so to speak with a hike to Bake Oven Knob, a day after their first date. They showed us the original photo of the two of them on the iconic 'big rock' looking over the Lehigh Valley. We were honored to re-take the picture today, forty years later, their joy for each other filled the hawk watch and of course lifted our spirits as well. Maybe we missed a raptor or two, didn't seem to matter. Some stories write themselves, and I'll end it with one final note. They had a song developed with the help of 'AI', with some background details of their relationship, the song title 'AI' wrote - "We didn't know it then." 'AI' didn't write the song, the song was written by the life and times of Dennis and Michele. A memorable meeting, and our best wishes.
Weather: The day started and ended with plentiful clouds. Visibility was limited at times with some low fog, maximum visibility of 20 miles. The low temperature was 67F, and the high temperature was 81F at 1400 EST. Mid-day had 50-55% cloud cover with some blue sky patches which we hoped would create some thermals for those high flying raptors. Winds in the morning were variable from ESE to SSW at 2-5 mph, then in the afternoon, calm to 3 mph, variable with more westerly winds.
Raptor Observations: Today we counted from the South lookout. Brett White, our weekend intern for community engagement, started the count at 0700 EST as I was a 'tad' late to today's festivities.
First raptor of the day was a Merlin that flew eye level past the lookout and was headed down ridge. Then the speedy little Falcon made a left turn, and we all had the same thought at the same time - local Merlin. A great look nonetheless.
We counted a total of 13 Broadwing hawks today. We observed 4-5 additional individual Broadwing hawks mid-day that were not counted as they were trying to get lift but it seemed like the BOK bowl would be just fine for another night to roost. The high count for a kettle was three BW's, better days ahead.
We had two adult Bald Eagles in the area above the bowl at the 1100 and 1400 hours, just out for a spin around the neighborhood. We had good looks at Osprey, flying down ridge, we counted them and wished them safe travels to South America.
Bald Eagle (Juvenile) 1408
Non-raptor Observations: Approximately 75 Barn Swallows were feasting on swarms of flying insects (ants?), mixed in were some Swifts. One Raven, 6 Monarchs, 9 hummingbirds
Predictions: Mostly cloudy in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Humid with highs in the lower 80's. East winds around 5 mph, becoming southwest in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
