We have received an invite from the Executive Director of Grandfather Mountain, Jesse Pope, to join them for their annual hawk watch on September 24. Last year on this date they counted 10,000 broad-winged hawks! Now, migration isn't predictable so we could strike out but either way we will be counting in one of the most magnificent scenes in the East (they setup on the rock across the swinging bridge!) and have the opportunity to learn from some of the best birders in the region!

As volunteers, we will get free admission to Grandfather Mountain and as such we need to take the responsibility of counting seriously! The data recorded at this site goes into a national database at The Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) to monitor hawk migration on a world wide scale.

Don't let that intimidate you though, beginners and novices are welcome! Seeing the kettles of Hawks can be an amazing experience. Blue Ridge Discovery Center will provide you with some training material so you can begin studying up on identifying species and counting methods. Do to the popularity of this location and the date, we are going to limit adult participation to ten. We can provide the binoculars if you don't have any.

Email cynthia@blueridgediscoverycenter.org to sign up