The Hawk Mountain Landscape 

A forest reserve
Hawk Mountain is part of the Kittatinny Ridge or Blue Mountain, the prominent, southeastern most Appalachian ridge in the Ridge-and-Valley Province. The Sanctuary's 2,600-acres, along with more than 13,000 acres of private and public lands, make up one of the largest, protected tracts of contiguous forest in southeastern Pennsylvania. Hawk Mountain lands are critical "source" reserve for eastern Pennsylvania flora and fauna, and may replenish populations in smaller forest tracts elsewhere in the region.

Slopes offer contrast of habitats
Hawk Mountain's steep complex topography shapes its natural communities. Stony, shallow soils, derived primarily from Tuscarora Sandstone, result in slow tree growth and low forest productivity. Within the Sanctuary, there is considerable diversity of habitat. More northerly species of plants and nesting birds are found on north-facing slopes; southern slopes provide warmth and cover for birds and mammals that winter here.

The ever-changing forest
In the past this mountaintop forest was cut for timber and charcoal, and burned to maintain blueberry heaths. A keystone species, American Chestnut, was lost to blight by 1950. Today, Red Maple, birches, hickory, Black Gum and five species of oak are the primary tree species. The present second-growth Appalachian Oak forest of Hawk Mountain is 100 to 150 years old.

As the forest grows, its complexity increases, as does its use by species that thrive in older forests such as Winter Wrens and Pileated Woodpeckers.

Watershed value
Hawk Mountain's forest plays an important role in recharging streams. The Mountain's springs, ephemeral streams and vernal pools, as well as four ponds, the Little Schuylkill River on its northwest boundary and nearby Kettle Creek, also provide important habitat for rare plants, invertebrates and amphibians.