The PVAS raptor class held its forth and final field trip of the season by visiting Waggoner’s Gap hawk watch site just north of Carlise, PA. The conditions were perfect for movement with overcast conditions, snow showers, brisk NW winds 10-20 mph and temps in the low 40’s. The class was not disappointed. After an hour and half drive from Spring Mills, WV to the rocky out cropping overlooking the Cumberland Valley we were never without a bird in the sky for more than 45 seconds the rest of the day. Waggoner’s Gap is one of the premier hawk watching locations in the east having started in 1952. Today, they set a new single day record for Golden Eagles with 50 (We saw 36 during our time there). Upon first arrival the first birds seen were 4 Golden Eagles flying in concert. What a start! About 5 minutes after that our first Northern Goshawk came flying by. We stayed from 10am until 3:30pm and it will be a day to remember for all. Also of note were Pine Siskins, Common Loons (71) and a few gulls.

Raptor totals seen while we were there:
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