Broad-winged Hawks have moved on

The view from Bake Oven Knob

This year's migration of Broad-winged Hawks across the Lehigh Valley seems to be over. Most of the hawks have flown past Bake Oven Knob in Lehigh County en route to their wintering grounds in Central and South America. Ever since the migration began in early September, a total of 4,046 Broad-wings were recorded at Bake Oven Knob.

The past week brought only a few stragglers—24, to be exact—past Bake Oven Knob, which is located about 2 miles north of Germansville. The knob is part of hawks' Appalachian throughway for migration periods.

Meanwhile the number of Sharp-shinned Hawks also seem to have peaked. Not so numerous as Broad-wings, even so they are a treat to see. A total of 201 Sharpies were seen during the week ended October 3, down from 304 reports during the previous year. Thus far in the season, a total of 777 Sharpies were seen at Bake Oven Knob.

Other raptors reported included Osprey, 36; Red-tailed Hawk, 22; American Kestrel, 15; Peregrine Falcon, 15; Bald Eagle, 12; Cooper's Hawk, 9; Merlin, 6; and Northern Harrier, 3. Also seen were 55 Turkey Vultures and 29 Black Vultures.

Flights of Canada geese are more numerous, with 232 birds seen during the week. Other birds seen include the Raven, 35; Pileated Woodpecker 7; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 4; Northern Flicker, 3; Black-throated Green Warbler, 4; Black-throated Blue Warbler, 1; Connecticut Warbler, 2; Blackpoll Warbler, 2; and Red-eyed Vireo, 2. Also seen were the Blue Jay, American Robin, Black-capped Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, Mourning Dove, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Crow and Ovenbird.

The listing of bird sightings at Bake Oven Knob was compiled by Bob Hoopes and a team of dedicated bird watchers with considerable expertise in the field. The team has been on site daily, despite inclement weather, for as long as 10 or 11 hours each day. Great work, ladies and gentlemen!