Autumn hawk watch and count at Hawk Mountain begins this Thursday

Though the calendar and temperatures indicate we’re still in summer, Hawk Mountain is gearing up for its autumn hawk watch. Beginning this Thursday, August 15, visitors to 2,500-acre sanctuary for birds of prey can watch and monitor the annual passage of raptor migrants as they move south. The designated migration observation period at the Sanctuary’s North Lookout will continue through December 15, 2019. Trail fees apply for non-members and cost $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for children ages 6 to 12.

“Autumn migration is one of my favorite times of the year here at the Sanctuary,” said Sean Grace, President of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. “Seeing such a large group of hawks at once is truly breathtaking and I encourage visitors to come and share such a unique sight.”

During the count, Sanctuary staff, trainees and volunteers will be stationed at the lookouts to help visitors spot and identify raptors including broad-winged hawks, kestrels, vultures, ospreys, and bald eagles. An average 18,000 raptors pass the Sanctuary each autumn. For raptor enthusiasts and those who cannot make it to Hawk Mountain, daily counts are posted throughout the season at hawkmountain.org.

Equipped with binoculars and a full daypack, visitors are invited to spend the day at North Lookout to enjoy the autumn colors and raptors. Binoculars are available for rent at the Visitor Center, and staff members there can offer tips and suggestions for trails and lookouts. The nearby South Lookout may be preferable to those with small children or with limited mobility, and it can be reached using the wheelchair-accessible Silhouette Trail.

Aside from the attraction of the autumn scenery, there will be more events than ever this year at the Mountain. In September, there will be an 85th anniversary historical marker commemoration, an autumn lecture series, educator workshops, and art events. Information about all of these programs can be found at hawkmountain.org/events.

The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world’s first refuge for birds of prey and is open to the public year-round by trail-fee or membership, which in turn supports the non-profit organization’s raptor conservation mission and local-to-global research, training and education programs.