Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 04, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 13:45:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Rick Morrissey
Observers: Brett White, Joe Farkas
Visitors: We had 31 visitors which was higher than expected like the raptors and we engaged with 19 very nice folks. First visitor was on the knob before 0700 EST hoping to see the sunrise. Even though most peaks were clear, the fog at BOK often disappoints sunrise enthusiasts in early Fall. I asked him his name, he said 'Lando.' My first thought, Lando Calrissian of 'Star Wars the Empire Strikes back!' 'Were you named after him?' Actually 'no', but that is how he and his family from the Dominican Republic learned about the Star War 50+year saga. Actually, a better story.
Second visitor was Joe Farkas, an expert observer and longtime veteran of the BOK community. It was great to catch up.
Also so nice to finally meet Cooper Costello (he is still an infant, so 'finally' is not quite the right word), his brother Calvin, the youngest members of the Costello family. Along with Cooper and his crew were their friends, the Gervais family from Palmerton. Anna Costello is the very capable Office Administrator and Program Specialist at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center (Our mother ship for the HawkCount). You folks just missed a Peregrine, and Calvin, the Walking Stick was looking for you. Next time, OK buddy!
Weather: 100% cloud cover all day, with the count starting in a fog cloud with visibility of about 500 feet. The low temperature was 55F at 0700 EST, and a high temperature of 61F at 1200 EST. Winds were Southeast, East Southeast throughout the count ranging from 4-7 mph for the first two hours, then slowly dropping off to 1-3 mph in the last hour. Steady light rain ended the count at 1345 EST
Raptor Observations: In the first hour after the fog left we had five sharp shins, two kestrels, and a Peregrine Falcon. For a day with predicted East winds, we were pleasantly surprised at the consistent morning flight until shortly after the 1300 hour.
Mid-day, finally a Bald Eagle, a Juvenile that flew close to the South Lookout. This young eagle flew across the finish line, looked confused, turned and headed back East, then turned South, then back East. Kids, just running in circles without scissors thankfully.
As we observed five Ravens fly through the bowl shortly after the noon hour, a minute or so later we observed five raptor-like birds flying West over the North lookout and were headed West behind the South Lookout. At first we thought 'there are those ravens again.' Not quite, five Broadwing Hawks, on a day with no sun, yet Southeast winds did make sense and we almost missed them!
A good mix of Cooper's hawks with the Sharpies, three Osprey, three Peregrines, three Harriers and two Merlins, which was totally unexpected for this count, one of our better Sundays. We just never know what nature will give us.
Non-raptor Observations: Five Ravens, I was told there were Cape May warblers in the neighborhood, tree swallows, we observed a Pileated WP, some geese flying East, and one Monarch.
Predictions: Sunny with high temperatures in the upper 60s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 miles per hour with gusts up to 25 mph. Should be a very good accipiter flight, 'big birds' too. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
