Getting a Bird's Eye View at the Bedford/Somerset County Divide

The Allegheny Front Hawk Watch is a privately owned watch-site near Central City, at the edge of the Allegheny Front along the Bedford-Somerset county divide. The Hawk Watch site provides a 180° eastward view of Bedford County and the high elevation (2780 ft.) allows for a close view of migrating eagles and hawks. The Allegheny Front Hawk Watch is known for its high spring and fall golden eagle counts. Golden eagles are most common during the first half of March and between mid-October and the end of November at the Hawk Watch site. Other raptors commonly seen include red-tailed hawks, cooper's hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, red-shouldered hawks, broad-winged hawk, northern harriers, ospreys, American kestrels, and bald eagles.

Monitoring has occurred at the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch since 1989. It is maintained seven days a week from August 15 through November 30 by the Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society. A spring hawk watch with less coverage usually runs from late February to late April, depending on weather conditions. As of October 22, the dedicated volunteers have counted 7,376 migrating raptors passing through in 2003.

Visitors are always welcome at the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch during the monitoring season and counters are happy to help newcomers. However, since it is private property, there is no overnight camping at the site and visitors must leave when the counters close down for the day. Handicapped parking is available. Due to limited parking, groups of more than 10 people must register ahead for dates e-mailing Tom Dick.

Visit the Allegheny Front Hawk Watch Website for up-to-date count information and directions to the site.

Today's photo is byWPC's Outreach Assistant at Sideling Hill Creek Mandy Smith, taken on 10/19/03.

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