Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!pt.cs.cmu.edu!andrew.cmu.edu!mk2r+
From: mk2r+@andrew.cmu.edu (Mark Paul Krenitsky)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Hawk watching in Pennsylvania
Message-ID: <kYsWBty00W0-E1N0V3@andrew.cmu.edu>
Date: 11 Aug 89 00:53:13 GMT
References: <3063@nmtsun.nmt.edu>,
	<9885@phoenix.Princeton.EDU>
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Organization: Class of '90, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
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In-Reply-To: <9885@phoenix.Princeton.EDU>

>I've also heard about some legendary place called "Hawk Mountain" which
>is purported to be somewhere in Pennsylvania.

First, I'm not sure of the directions but I can get some eventually.
However,
some one else will probably post them first. 
Hawk Mountain(actual name) is in the Appalachians somewhere around
Harrisburg,PA.
It is a main flyway for all types of raptors in Eastern N. America, and
until the 1930's
was frequented by hunters.  Hawk Mountain is the highest peak in the
vincinity
(I think, I was only 9 when I was there last) and the raptors just
barely clear it. 
This means that hawks can be in easy viewing range, occasionally even
landing on
the peak. Some wildlife federation then bought it and stopped the
wholesale slaughter.
Hearsay : 
September through November are the months to go, naturally.  In
September, there is a
wide mix of accipeters, buteos, falcons and occasional other raptors. In
October the 
volume increases greatly to maximum, with tremendous flights of
Broad-winged Hawks.
In November, flights are scattered. Small volume, but the best potential
for something
unusual. Mainly eagles, ospreys and I think turkey vultures. 

Hawk Mountain used to be king, until some guy in Cape May proved that IT
is the 
place for peregrines and other falcons, not to mention migrants.  Still,
it is definitely 
a worthwhile trip.

Arguably, the most bizarre, unexpected, unusual, once-in-a-century
sighting happened
at Hawk Mountain in the 1950's.  There had been great flights of hawks
on previous
days, but this day was a letdown.  Thus, most of the observors were not
preoccupied
when a small seabird suddenly came from the north, circled Hawk Mountain
for a 

minute or two, and then flew off, not to be seen again. 
The only record in North America of a Kermadic Petrel, resident of the
Southern
Hemisphere and native of (I think) the Indian Ocean.  A photograph was
made, and
deliberations went on for twenty years until it was listed as an
official sighting,  
Peterson's Eastern Field Guide lists it as a probable sighting in the
back under Unusual
Seabirds.
			Mark Krenitsky