Bake Oven Knob 2 miles North of Germansville, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 14, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Rick Morrissey
Observers: Kristina and Bert Bealer, Manuel Lorenzino, Steve Hawk
Visitors: Four brave visitors to the North Lookout today, and they all confirmed that 'the North Lookout was much colder than the South Lookout.' 8.5 hours on the North today, yup brrrr! So nice to meet Manuel, Kristina and Bert for the first time, and great to catch up with Steve Hawk. All became listed observers today, what a great team, hope to see you again. You know the 'observer work' is optional, right?'
On the South Lookout we had a total of 44 visitors, and our Raptor Migration intern Brett engaged with 36 visitors (Total 48 visitors).
Thank you all for your generous spirits!
Weather: The low temperature at the start of the count was 33F, and the high temperature was 39F at 1500 EST. Mostly cloudy with brief periods of partly sunny yet the sun was often short lived followed by dark ominous 100% cloud cover. In the mid-afternoon there was a brief snow shower and then a partial rainbow, suffice it to say we had 'lots of weather' on the Knob today. The wind mirrored the sun and cloud cycles with regular, yet short lived, bursts of 10-15 mph (gusts up to 18 mph), then followed by light winds 4-6 mph. Wind direction was North-Northwest most of the count, then the last two hours winds were from the Northwest.
Raptor Observations: The flight started promptly at 0802 EST with an adult Bald Eagle which was followed by three other Bald Eagles in the next 22 minutes. In this early group of BEs, I spotted two additional adult BEs who flew North and thus were not counted. As I followed one of those early eagles down ridge, above it in the distance I spotted a Northern Harrier. Good thing I 'stalked' the eagle to 'nab' the harrier, which I do not normally do since it was well beyond the 'finish line'. At 0910 I heard a distant 'kerfuffle' of two Peregrine Falcons in a serious disagreement above the pine tree directly North. I was hoping at least one goes East and the other West over the finish since they were of course, right on the finish line. Alas they were out of sight fast, really fast, diving behind 'the hump' not to be seen again for the rest of the count.
It was then kind of quiet for the next 2 hours, time to adjust to the brisk morning. In the 1000 EST hour, two high flying BEs, then a fairly steady flight of 17 more eagles into the afternoon until things settled down just after 1500 EST.
I've been concerned about the low number of Red-tailed Hawks this season to date, and with only seven Redtails in the morning with such good wind continued my 'worry.' But then we had 33 Redtails in three hours in the afternoon so I am hopeful for tomorrow's flight.
Brett White, who was on the South lookout engaging with visitors, told me that he spotted three Red Shouldered Hawks which I did not see and thus were not counted. Red Shouldered Hawks often fly on the south side of the ridge when winds are brisk from the North, and I know this dammit! "You live and learn", yet I am getting old fast, especially on cold days like today. Hawk Mountain got them I suspect.
As veteran observer Steve Hawk commented, "the birds today are not giving us too many looks." With not much sun, raptors flying parallel to our vantage points, limited flaps and practically no turns, we had to make our calls on sideway silhouettes. You know that awkward silence, no one wants to 'play their hand,' and it happened more times than I certainly wanted with the comment, "so...what are we thinking?" We had a good team today, I think we did pretty good, and hence the two unidentified eagles and one buteo.
Golden Eagles (5 total - 4 adults): 0959 (adult); 1104 (adult); 1140 (adult); 1503 ( (adult); 1515 (JUV)
Unidentified Eagles - 1240; 1249
Non-raptor Observations: An 'unkindness' of 15 Ravens, 9 common Loons, some large flocks of Canada geese, and one American Airlines jet in the afternoon which was a good sign for our human migrants.
Predictions: Mostly sunny with highs in the upper 40s, along with Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph, gusts up to 25 mph. Another good flight day, possibly better! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Lehigh Gap Nature Center (<mail...>) Bake Oven Knob information may be found at: www.lgnc.org
