It’s no surprise that bird watching is the number one outdoor recreational activity in the United States. At least 20 percent of all Americans spend more than $36 billion each year in their pursuit of our feathered friends.
From homeowners with a simple backyard seed feeder to the ultra-serious birders who eagerly travel thousands of miles to add a single species to their life lists, birding includes young and old alike.
Right here in Central Pennsylvania we have one of the most celebrated birding hotspots in North America. Waggoner’s Gap is a ridge top lookout six miles northwest of Carlisle along the Blue Mountains.
During the 1930’s, new attitudes began to emerge about raptors. Instead of large-scale killings of hawks and owls, raptors began to be studied and protected. Migration routes along the mountain ridges spurred dedicated birders to set up lookouts along these ridges and keep counts of birds observed.
Places like Hawk Mountain, Bake Oven Knob and Sterrett’s Gap became well known in the birding community. Dr. Ted Hake of York County was one of the pioneer birders who made regular visits to Waggoner’s Gap, beginning in the late 1930s and continuing into the 1990s.
The first to regularly record numbers of birds was Lou Knohr, a high school teacher in Carlisle. His records stretched from 1948 to 1951. In 1952, counts were taken over by Dr. Bertram Henry. The first daily counts were made by Lou Knohr, starting in 1954.
By the 1970’s, interest had grown so much that regular monitoring of raptor migration was sponsored by the Appalachian Audubon Chapter, led at first by Michael Kotz, a high school student from Harrisburg. The Hawk Mountain Association of North America was founded in 1974 and Rich Peiffer, a high school teacher at Cumberland Valley became the first official compiler. Peiffer held that position until his death from cancer in 1981 and has since been succeeded by Greg Smith, Kim Van Fleet and the current compiler Dave Grove.
Daily numbers are recorded by a host of volunteer counters starting on August 1, and running the entire migration season to December 31. Detailed records are kept from dawn to dusk every day for seventeen species of hawks, falcons, vultures and eagles.
Because of its unique position, Waggoner’s Gap actually records more birds than more famous sites like Hawk Mountain in Berks County. The position of the mountains funnels the winds through the ridges and provides easy gliding for the migrants.
Broadwing hawks are by far the most abundant with astounding counts of over 5,000 a day during the peak. They are also among the earliest to migrate, with the bulk of the migration between August and September. Smaller raptors like sharp-shinned hawks and American kestrels are also early migrators.
Eagles are the most impressive visitors. On average, bald eagles number over 500 each year and golden eagles over 300. Even the novice birder can spot these huge birds as they sail by the lookout. And even the most experienced still get a thrill at the sight of these once rare and endangered visitors.
A well-maintained oval parking lot off state Route 74 is at the base of the site. A rocky trail leaves the lot at the right hand (uphill) side. It splits after about 100 yards, but both forks lead to the lookout. The right hand trail is less steep but longer. The lookout is an angled rock pile. Bring a cushion to sit on and warmer clothing than you think you might need. Space is very limited for chairs of any sort and it’s claimed very early in the day. There is a Porta Potty in the parking lot.
Take the best pair of binoculars you can afford and make the trip to Waggoner’s Gap. This is an amazing place right in our own back yard – take full advantage.
For more on Waggoner’s Gap, visit www.waggap.com.
