Recently there have not been many good days for hawk watching at Jo Hayes Vista. Northwest winds are ideal for the site and the days have been scarce this fall. Today was an exception. Golden Eagles have been migrating throughout Pennsylvania in decent numbers, so I figured I would have a shot at seeing a few if I made it up to Jo Hayes Vista this morning. I got up the hawk watch at 1000 and could only stay until 1200 because of an Economics review session. The first bird of the morning was observed at 1018 and was a Red-tailed Hawk.
First raptor of the day: Red-tailed Hawk at 1018
Another Red-tailed Hawk flew past a few minutes after. I really wanted to see a Golden Eagle, which would be a new Centre County bird for me. At 1037, I was rewarded with my first Golden Eagle ever in Centre County! The bird was beautiful and gave us great looks.
Golden Eagle at 1037
Golden Eagle at 1037
Right behind the golden was another Golden Eagle! I was concentrating on the first and did not have time to photograph the second. At 1053, the third Golden Eagle of the day passed! In a matter of 16 minutes, three Golden Eagles migrated passed Jo Hayes Vista! It was incredible.
Golden Eagle at 1053
In the 1000-1100 hour, we observed an uncounted number of Canada Geese, 2 American Crows, 1 Common Raven, 1 resident Red-tailed Hawk, 7 migrating Red-tailed Hawks, and 3 Golden Eagles!
Red-tailed Hawk observed in the 1000-1100 hour.
In the 1100-1200 hour, we observed 2 Common Ravens, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 10 Canada Geese, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, and 1 juvenile Bald Eagle at 1132.
Canada Geese flying over the vista.
The two hours I spent at the hawk watch were incredible. Golden Eagles are absolutely amazing birds. Alex Lamoreaux of The Nemesis Bird is up at the hawk watch along with a few other Centre County birders, Chuck Widman, Chet and Sue Gottfried, and Nadia Barkawi. Birds are still pushing through and I believe they are up to 7 Golden Eagles now.
