Equipped with binoculars and cameras, people gathered at the lookouts at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton for the sanctuary’s inaugural Migration Kick-Off Festival “Off to a Flying Start” on Aug. 12.
Hawk Mountain kicked off the 2017 autumn migration season with an open house celebration, including a Guided Bird Walk, Education Building Open House, kids activities, and raffle drawing.
Visitors to the sanctuary met wildlife artist Tom Horn, learned from a Naturalist in the Garden about native plants that attract wildlife to the yard, learned how to identify common birds at the feeder station, and learned how to identify 16 species of raptors with Laurie Goodrich.
Keith L. Bildstein, Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, signed his new book, “Raptors: The Curious Nature of Diurnal Birds of Prey,” which offers a comprehensive account of raptors. “Locations” art show was on display by former Hawk Mountain resident artist Bryan Fellenbaum.
One of the highlights of the Migration Kick-Off Festival was the Raptors Up Close presentation, held twice that day. Visitors had an opportunity to see live birds of prey and learn more about them.
Cheryl Faust, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary volunteer in the education department, introduced audiences to Hawk Mountain’s resident education birds, an eastern screech owl and a Red-tailed hawk. She talked about their characteristics, what they like to eat and other interesting facts.
“I hope they learn more about the history of Hawk Mountain,” said Faust, who talked about the sanctuary’s founder Rosalie Edge.
According to the sanctuary website history page, www.hawkmountain.org, amateur ornithologist Richard Pough’s photographs in the early 1930s, one of which of the dead hawks collected from one day of shooting the passing migrants, was seen by New York conservation activist Rosalie Edge who later became the founder of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. In 1934, Edge leased 1,400 acres and “installed a warden on the property, a New England bird enthusiast named Maurice Broun, and Maurice’s wife and bird conservation partner, Irma Broun. The shooting stopped immediately and the next year, Mrs. Edge opened the Sanctuary to the public.”
Faust hopes sanctuary visitors learn about the need to conserve birds of prey. During her presentation, she talked about the birds of prey that can be seen migrating past Hawk Mountain, using the Wings of Wonder model displays hanging from the Visitor Center Gallery ceiling to show to how to identify them from a distance.
“Every species is important. I’ve never seen a passenger pigeon because passenger pigeons are now extinct,” said Faust. Then looking overhead at the model birds of prey hanging from the ceiling, she said, “Any of these species becoming extinct, I think my children or grandchildren might never see them. That’s our mission, conservation.”
Mary-Therese Grob, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary bookstore manager, said this was the first year the sanctuary hosted the kick-off festival. She said they host an open house in November but they thought it might be fun to host a kick-off festival since their official migration count starts on Aug. 15.
“We wanted to get people out. We are a hawk migration watch site so just to build some enthusiasm with our fall count,” said Grob.
Staff and volunteer counters will be at North Lookout everyday between Aug. 15 and Dec. 15, counting the migrating raptors that go by Hawk Mountain. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association posted on Facebook on Aug. 17, “Our Autumn Migration Hawkwatch is in full swing! Yesterday we saw the first official bird of the season, a soaring Broad-winged Hawk!”
The Kick-Off Festival also offered a fun and educational experience for visiting families.
“The Raptors Up Close program is always a draw. The kids scavenger hunt is always fun,” said Grob. “Hawk Mountain is just a great place to come and get out on the trail, enjoy the beautiful scenery with your family.”
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is open year round.
“Every single season offers a different perspective. Obviously, we’re best known for raptor migration in the fall but it’s a great place to come any time of year,” she said.
For more information about Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, visit hawkmountain.org.
