Hawk Mountian PA

Nif_NortheasternPA

21 years ago

I am going to Hawk Mountain this monday, October 24.

Never been there, sooooo excitied, any ideas or tips?

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

clairer
21 years ago
So happy for you bring back lots of pictures... I hope to someday make the trip... Please let us know your experience..
Have Fun
Claire
hackles
21 years ago
Check the weather before you go, winds from the northwest will give you an active day. I used to love to be on the trail before dawn, hike up with a flashlight, and be on the north lookout for the sunrise. it's truly awesome.
Related Discussions
Source for Mountian Laurel
Q
Comments (1)
Redbud Native Nursery has them listed. I would call first to ask about stock. Here is a link that might be useful: Redbud Native Nursery
...See More
identify hawk in backyard
Q
Comments (22)
Looking forward to that raptor page help you might get Elaine... Because I wouldn't be surprised this would be - yet again a new species thrown in here for good measure! - an immature, light phase, SWAINSON's hawk! Way back out East from its normal range! But there >hasThe one detail that leads me to this species, relying solely on the Peterson guide, is the absence of dark band on the TIP of the tail, which your excellent photos seem to reveal. In the book I see no other non-accipiter hawk (wings do seem too long for an accipiter) with barred chest and banded tail that shows this characteristic. MAXIMUM dimensions are also quite smaller than a Red-tail's. This would be a great bird finding for you to report to the specialists!
...See More
I think he's 'hooked on hawks'
Q
Comments (2)
I know I am going to get in trouble for this but I think it's over rated. I wanted to go for a while now so finally this past August My daughter drove us up there we joined and they told us to come back in a month . Well my fiancee's aunt wanted to go so we went October 17th It was very crowded and when we went to the top we saw alot of turkey vultures. I love turkey vultures! But I see more hawks eagles and turkey vultures at my local hawkwatch at Rosetree park. However the view and scenery are much nicer at Hawk Mountain. Sarah
...See More
Hawk307-LouHi
Q
Comments (1)
lakemayor: Hi to you too.I've been out til now. My DD and friends surprised me with a visit, close by. They are at a Time Share, at Split Rock Lodge, about 5 minutes from here. Went there for a Seafood and Stirfri Dinner and watched part of the Phillies game. Had to get back home to make Pizzelles and Biscotti. ****************** I'm looking forward to meeting you and DH. I'll send an email and we can exchange Phone numbers. Have a good visit with Jim. Lou
...See More
sarahbn
21 years ago
It's probably the best time to go. Looks clear down here in southeast Pa. Last year I went twice once on a late afternoon week day in august the second time a beautiful october sunday. The second time was so crowded with people. I think it should be less crowded on a monday so you have a chance to get a better view. Your probably there already. Hope you enjoyed it. let us know. Sarah
Nif_NortheasternPA
Original Author
21 years ago
Wow, it was really a great experience!

My husband went with me, and we really had a blast. (We stayed flexible and went Sunday instead of Monday, due to weather...)

The weather was perfect, and the birds were flying!

I saw many sharpies, one merlin, many red tails, and... drum roll please....

Two golden eagles, one adult and one juvi who flew over twice!

I would have to say though, that we really needed better optics, their website actually encourages first timers to get an 7 or 8 power, which is the best for normal bird watching, but for rapters comming in slow an stead at 5 miles away - slowly closer and closer, even the greatest novice would have no trouble at all with a 12 or even 16 power, and be able to get up close.

Although I was glad for my 7 and 8 for one thing, two red tails put on a little show pretty close one time, the whole mountain went 'ooohh ahhh!'

This really nice guy, Bill, lent my husband his 12x lecia beauties, and that made him very happy. By next year we will have invested in a good pair of 12x maybe a scope... and my husband plans to bring his tripod.

They were having a demo when we got there, with a live red tail. It was a beautiful visitor's center, and I want to see the native garden in the spring - good stuff!! But we didn't stay long, hiked right up to the North Lookout!

Things we did right: We dressed very warm, brought all kinds of great food - a gourmet lunch (it was our anniversary weekend, and I had the gourmet stuff packed) - we took the 476 turnpike on the way down and went WEST - instead of 81 EAST on 78 - if you come from NEPA or Jersey or NY this is the way to go - don't even think about 81 and EAST on 78!!! There is construction to the west of Hawk Mountain, and 81 is just bad. Now, that construction might move in the future...

Also, I brought and big soft pillows!!!!

Haha, people were laughing and making fun of me as I hauled the pillows up the mountain, it didn't phase me at all, because I knew my reward was coming - you should have seen the jealousy went we sat on our fluffy pillow 'seats' on the mountain - hehe!

I hope to go again this season, if not, I will be there in the spring, and a few times next fall. Maybe I will get to do the sunrise thing like Hackles talked about!

Really great place, more to do than I had time for....

:o) Thanks
hackles
20 years ago
Sounds like you had a great day, I'm glad. I used to be a "regular" on the mountian, but now live in Cape May, don't get up that way very often. Spring on the mountian is time for the trails, the hawk migration is very sparse, but hike the trails in the refuge, the passerine population changes weekly, you never know what you'll see ! By the way, I used to clip a chair cushion to my backpack to carry up to the lookout...nothing like comfort !!