Hawk Mountain Sanctuary – LIFE IN THE LOWER SUSQUEHANNA RIVER WATERSHED

During the recent couple of mornings, a tide of Neotropical migrants has been rolling along the crests of the Appalachian ridges and Piedmont highlands of southern Pennsylvania. In the first hours of daylight, “waves” of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, tanagers, and other birds are being observed flitting among the sun-drenched foliage as they feed in trees along the edges of ridgetop clearings. Big fallouts have been reported along Kittattiny Ridge/Blue Mountain at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and at Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch. Birds are also being seen in the Furnace Hills of the Piedmont.

Here are some of the 300 to 400 warblers (a very conservative estimate) seen in a “wave” found working its way southwest through the forest clearing at the Second Mountain Hawk Watch in Lebanon County this morning. The feeding frenzy endured for two hours between 7 and 9 A.M. E.D.T.

Tennessee Warblers at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — Tennessee Warblers (Leiothlypis peregrina) were very common among the migrants seen this morning on Second Mountain.

Tennessee Warbler at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — An adult male Tennessee Warbler.

Nashville Warbler at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — A Nashville Warbler.

Chestnut-sided Warbler at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — A Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Cape May Warbler at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — Cape May Warblers were another common species during the morning flight.

Magnolia Warbler at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — Magnolia Warblers were frequently observed as well.

Black-and-white Warbler at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — A Black-and-white Warbler exhibiting its nuthatch-like feeding behavior.

Blackburnian Warbler at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — A Blackburnian Warbler.

Black-throated Green Warbler at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — Black-throated Green Warblers were numerous.

Bay-breasted Warbler at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — A Bay-breasted Warbler.

Wilson's Warbler at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — This was the only Wilson’s Warbler discerned among the hundreds of warblers seen in a “wave” on Second Mountain this morning.

Not photographed but observed in the mix of species were several Black-throated Blue Warblers and American Redstarts.

In addition to the warblers, other Neotropical migrants were on the move including two Common Nighthawks, a Broad-winged Hawk, a Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus), and…

Scarlet Tanager at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — At least half a dozen Scarlet Tanagers were in the treetops.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — And no less than 23 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were counted cruising southbound past the lookout at Second Mountain Hawk Watch today.

Then, there was a taste of things to come…

Red-breasted Nuthatch at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — One of 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches filling the air on the mountaintop with calls reminiscent of a toy tin horn. Will this summer’s forest fires in Canada prompt a significant invasion of this and other birds including winter finches in coming months? Time will tell.

Seeing a “wave” flight is a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Visiting known locations for observing warbler fallouts such as hawk watches, ridgetop clearings, and peninsular shorelines can improve your chances of witnessing one of these memorable spectacles by overcoming the first variable. To overcome the second, be sure to visit early and often. See you on the lookout!

As we enter September, autumn bird migration is well underway. Neotropical species including warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and nighthawks are already headed south. Meanwhile, the raptor migration is ramping up and hawk watch sites throughout the Mid-Atlantic States are now staffed and counting birds. In addition to the expected migrants, there have already been sightings of some unusual post-breeding wanderers. Yesterday, a Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) was seen passing Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and a Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) that spent much of August in Juniata County was seen from Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch while it was hunting in a Perry County field six miles to the north of the lookout! Both of these rarities are vagrants from down Florida way.

A Peregrine Falcon speeds past the lookout at Second Mountain Hawk Watch. — A Peregrine Falcon speeds past the lookout at Second Mountain Hawk Watch yesterday.

Later this month, numbers of high-flying Broad-winged Hawks moving past counting stations will reach their peak. Most sites will experience one or more days with hundreds or perhaps thousands of these Neotropical migrants streaming by.

This Black-and-white Warbler was found among a “wave” of migrating songbirds moving through some ridgetop trees.

A juvenile Cape May Warbler peers from the cover of an Eastern Hemlock.

To plan a visit to a hawk watch near you, click on the “Hawkwatcher’s Helper: Identifying Bald Eagles and other Diurnal Raptors” tab at the top of this page to find a list and brief description of suggested sites throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. “Hawkwatcher’s Helper” also includes an extensive photo guide for identifying the raptors you’re likely to see.

And to identify those confusing fall warblers and other migrants, click the “Birds” tab at the top of this page and check out the photo guide contained therein. It includes nearly all of the species you’re likely to see in the lower Susquehanna valley.

Category: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

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