Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 23, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 14:15:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Andre Vu
Observers: Ron Kline
Visitors: 28 visitors today at the south lookout enjoying a fall foliage Friday. Joined for most of the day by Ron Kline, who was a great hawkwatch buddy as always. He might be the funniest storyteller I�ve ever met.
Weather: 47-58 degrees F, mostly clear blue skies, light northeast wind gusting up to 13 mph.
Raptor Observations: American Goshawk (1): 0836a Bald eagle (4): 1040a, 1052a, 1108a, 1108a
After a slow first hour with a single vulture to show for it, I figured today was going to be slow. Between scans I�m checking my phone trying to figure out weekend plans (Wildwood and an apple orchard!), when suddenly the hawkwatch gods remind me they expect my constant attention. Out of nowhere there was a cacophony of wingbeats and a huge blur swoops directly at my face before swerving to my right at the last second - I instantly look up to see an ENORMOUS accipitrine right over the south lookout, so low and close it was practically touching the rocks. Now silhouetted in the morning sun and banking with its topside facing me, I immeadiately clocked broad wings with long, tapered hands and a huge stovepipe tail. I already knew what it was, but I raised my binoculars in disbelief anyway - and there, plain as day, was a blue-gray adult goshawk searing itself into my brain and signing its name on the image with its signature white eyebrow. The whole encounter was probably less than 5 seconds, but by the time it disappeared around the corner it felt like time had been frozen for the last 6 months. At first I was kicking myself for missing a golden photo op, but I�m not sure getting my camera out fast enough would�ve been possible even if I had been paying attention, and it came so close to my face I dont think it could�ve focused anyway. Unreal and unforgettable.
Also a decent look at a gray ghost and an adult red-shouldered. Not quite as good a look as I got of the gos, but you know.
Non-raptor Observations: A couple purple finch flyovers, not much else of note. I did get the Hammond�s flycatcher in Monroe county after work today on my second try - although the folks from Little Gap and Stone Mt. weren�t here like last time.
Predictions: Sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
