Autumn Migration Season Kicks Off August 15

Visitors are invited to Hawk Mountain to view the annual Autumn Migration Hawkwatch, which takes place daily from August 15 through December 15. Visitors can join the Sanctuary counters as they monitor the southbound raptor migration from the Sanctuary’s famous North Lookout. Trail fees apply for non-members: $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for children ages 6-12; ages 5 and younger are free. Members are admitted free year-round. Purchase trail passes here or learn more about a Mountain Membership here.

Throughout 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, bald eagles, and more. An average of 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/count.

This year the Sanctuary celebrates 90 years since founder Rosalie Edge leased the land in 1934 and hired the first curator Maurice Broun, who started counting the migrating raptors while he was stationed at North Lookout. Hawk Mountain now maintains this longest-running raptor count in the world, offering invaluable data as well as a model for hawkwatches around the globe.

Visitors are welcome to spend the day at the North Lookout to enjoy incredible views as the raptor migrants pass overhead. Come equipped with binoculars and a full daypack to make the most of the day. Visitors with small children or limited mobility may prefer the nearby South Lookout, which can be accessed via the ADA accessible Silhouette Trail.

This fall will also bring the entirely free Autumn Lecture Series, weekend programs, including Raptors Up Close, How We Study Migrating Raptors, and Name that Raptor, plus a wide variety of other walks, talks, and workshops for all ages and interests. Browse our full program calendar at hawkmountain.org/events.