A golden opportunity to see North America's largest bird of prey at Hawk Mountain
Posted on October 28, 2021 in Visitors
On Saturday, November 6, Hawk Mountain visitors will have a guaranteed opportunity to see both a bald and a golden eagle up close during the Eagle Day event. The one-day-only eagle programs will be presented by Carbon County Environmental Education Center at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary's Amphitheater. The program is free for Members or with a trail pass, which can be purchased here.
Eagle Day coincides with the peak of golden eagle migration at Hawk Mountain. The golden eagle is rare to see throughout the northeast, but during the autumn, an average of 134 are spotted at the Sanctuary. Fortunately, bald eagles are no longer a rare sight from North Lookout, with a record average of 438 seen in a season. Early November is the best time to catch both a golden and bald eagle migrating past the Mountain in the same day.
"Golden and bald eagles may fly close to the lookouts, particularly on windy days," says Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Director of Conservation Science at Hawk Mountain. "Migration in November is the best time to see the species as they pass over the colorful ridge."
The annual Mountain Raffle will also be drawn on this day at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $3, or you can get 5 tickets for $10, 15 tickets for $25, or 50 tickets for $50, and they can be purchased, with cash or check only, up until 3:45 p.m. Learn more at hawkmountain.org/give/mountain-raffle.
Visitors in early November can also expect large numbers of red-tailed hawks, the Sanctuary's third-most numerous migrant, and there is the possibility of sighting the rarer northern goshawk. The official Hawk Mountain raptor count will continue until December 15, and weekend programs are held until Sunday, November 21. Check out other upcoming programs at hawkmountain.org/events.
The air finally feels like fall, and hopefully the persistent rain will give the Mountain a break as the season moves forward. It is the perfect time to plan a visit to Hawk Mountain for a hike, program, and day of bird-watching.