Hawk migration is at its peak

Broad-winged Hawk

This weekend is approaching the peak time for viewing the migration of raptors along the mountain ridges of the Lehigh Valley. The weather will be fine for viewing hawks, eagles, ospreys and other raptors that congregate for the autumn migration.

Broad-winged Hawks are the most numerous species reported thus far, being the first raptors to migrate. These small hawks are not often noticed during the breeding season. They usually nest near forest openings and bodies of water, far from humans. But toward autumn, hundreds of thousands fly to their wintering grounds in Central and South America.

If you'd like to enjoy seeing the raptor migration, your best chances of viewing include Little Gap Hawk Watch, Lehigh Furnace Gap and, of course, Bake Oven Knob. The Knob is a popular site because the birds soar above the Kittatiny Ridge, some species coming within easy eyesight.

But keep your eyes to the sky no matter where you are. You never can tell when you'll see one of these remarkable creatures!

Last weekend provided bird watchers with a variety of raptors in many locations. These are the birds that were spotted:

Emrick Boulevard Shopping Center, Northampton County
Red-tailed Hawk, 2 on September 18.
American Kestrel, 1 on September 18.

Minsi Lake, Northampton County
Bald Eagle, 1 on September 18.

Little Gap Hawk Watch, Northampton County
Osprey, 39 on September 17.
Northern Harrier, 5 on September 17.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 36 on September 17.
Cooper's Hawk, 5 on September 17.
Bald Eagle, 32 on September 17.
Broad-winged Hawk, 172 on September 17.
Red-tailed Hawk, 4 on September 17.
American Kestrel, 1 on September 17.
Merlin, 1 on September 17.

Broad-winged Hawk

Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, Northampton County
Osprey, 5 on September 17.
American Kestrel, 6 on September 17.
Also seen: Cooper's and Red-tailed hawks.

Jordan Lutheran Church, Lehigh County
Merlin, 1 perched near the parking lot, on September 18.

Haafsville, Lehigh County
Red-tailed Hawk, 1 on September 17.

Pennsylvania Turnpike
(at the Allentown rest stop on the Northeast Extension)
Cooper's Hawk, 1 on September 17.
Red-tailed Hawk, 1 on September 17.

Memorial Road, Lehigh County
Bald Eagle, 1 on September 17.

Lehigh Furnace Gap, Lehigh County
Osprey, 1 on September 17.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 on September 17.
Bald Eagle, 1 on September 17.
Broad-winged Hawk, 22 on September 17.
Red-tailed Hawk, 1 on September 17.

Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Osprey, 45 on September 17.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 18 on September 17.
Cooper's Hawk, 2 on September 17.
Bald Eagle, 20 on September 17.
Broad-winged Hawk, 270 on September 17.
Red-tailed Hawk, 3 on September 17.
American Kestrel, 4 on September 17.

Trexler Nature Preserve, Lehigh County
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 on September 17.
Red-tailed Hawk, 3 on September 17.
American Kestrel, 1 on September 17.

Weather forecast for this weekend:

If you miss this weekend's viewing, don't worry. The migration will continue for a couple more weeks as late-departing species pass through the Lehigh Valley.