Militia Hill Hawk Watch
Ten Years: 100,000 Raptors
(1988-1998)
by Marylea Klauder
On September 7th, 1988 a small number of people scanned the sky
over Militia Hill in Fort Washington State Park. They were looking
for the first migrating raptor of the first official Militia Hill
Hawk Watch. Bill Kershner was the compiler that day, he recorded 8
migrants and enjoyed the activity enough to return as compiler every
Wednesday for the next ten years. One week later another compiler,
Bill Murphy, spotted our first Bald Eagle in a large kettle of
Broadwings. We counted 954 raptors for the day. By then we knew we
had discovered a great location and we were hooked.
Two other compilers have been with us since the beginning. George
Layne found us early in the season and joined at once. And Charlie
Wonderly has braved many bitterly cold and windy hours in November
searching for the Roughleg and the Golden Eagle. Over the past ten
year's Militia Hill has become known for its large migration of
Broadwings, as many as 13,000 in a single day in 1995. More compilers
have joined and the number of observers has grown to as many as 200
on the weekends.
September 1st, 1997 was the opening day of the 10th year of the
watch. Warm early September weather was not conducive to raptor
migration, but 60 members of our group turned up to get reacquainted,
admire the expanded Butterfly Garden, and scan for the first
countable bird. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and 2 quail were the
highlights at ground level in September. Two "life" butterflies were
added to the park list. The Firey Skipper and the beautiful
Long-tailed Skipper, both southern species not usually seen in the
area.
The first Bald Eagle arrived on September 3rd, low, majestic, and
adult. Followed by a steady stream through the month for a total of
25. Five Bald Eagles were recorded on a single day, September
21st.
When the Broadwing season arrived, we started the countdown to
the 100,000th raptor in the history of the Hawk Watch. At first the
Broadwings came through in smaller kettles than usual, spread out
over many days and across a wide area with other watches reporting
similar small numbers. Finally on September 22nd, we found a kettle
of about 75 Broadwings that contained the bird we had been looking
for. The compiler, Ian Baldock, proudly recorded the 100,000th
raptor. The Broad-winged Hawk was cheered on its way and we
celebrated with photographs of the group, a sign, and balloons. By
the time the migrant reached Veracruz, Mexico it would be just one
among 4.5 million Broadwings. However, over Militia Hill it was our
very special bird.
The fun was not over yet. Traditionally the Broadwing flight at
Militia Hill has two peaks, the second being greater than the first.
And once again we had another great day of 3005 Broadwings on
September 24th for a total of 8647 Broadwings in September and 9,720
raptors for the month.
A single early Snow Goose on September 9th and a large Monarch
Butterfly migration of over 100 a day added to the charm of September
as we watched Bill Murphy mulch, weed, plant, and trim his beautiful
Butterfly Garden.
Usually the Broadwings are birds of September, with only a few
stragglers showing up in early October. So a flight of 139 Broadwings
on October 1st with three Bald Eagles followed by another Bald Eagle
on the 2nd along with thousands of Canada Geese and four Snow Geese,
and then 52 more Broadwings on the 3rd, made a very exciting first
week of the month. Two Common Nighthawks on October 4th and one on
the 5th had been unusual too.
In contrast, the second week of October was hot and slow.
Temperatures in the high 80s put migration on hold. Bald Eagles on
the 7th and 8th picked up our spirits and visiting school classes got
good close looks at local Redtails and Turkey Vultures.
Sharpies and the occasional Cooper's made startling passes at the
bird feeders almost daily now and the little quail disappeared,
possibly becoming fast food on the journey south.
Butterflies and skippers continued and the sparrows arrived.
Song, Field, Swamp, Chipping, White-crowned, Lincoln's,
White-throated Sparrows and Eastern Towhees ate the seed we scattered
at the edges of the garden. Bob Putska and Bill Murphy were kept busy
filling and refilling the feeders and the bird baths which they tend
faithfully everyday all year long. So stop by in January and enjoy
the birds of winter or stop by in July to enjoy the
hummingbirds.
On October 16th, after a cold front, we counted 569 Snow Geese,
and a total of 77 raptors including a group of 17 Turkey Vultures.
Three Double-crested cormorants were also noted.
A good variety of raptors on the 18th included three more Bald
Eagles, a male Harrier, and a Peregrine that stopped and circled, a
real treat for us. The total for the day was 122.
The 19th we recorded a northbound Red-throated Loon. The second
half of October was very slow with only an occasional Red-shouldered
among the Sharpies and Cooper's. The 23rd brought us two Lesser
Yellowlegs and on the 28th a Common Snipe. Now we were seeing a few
Common Loons.
October 30th was the day of the Lady Bugs. Thousands of the
little insects surrounded us in what seemed like and endless variety
of colors and markings. Little round disks from pale yellow to orange
to red walked up our clothing, landed in our hair and even on our
faces, and made us look carefully before sitting down. Where did they
come from and where did they go?
Halloween, mild and sunny, was a perfect day for our annual
picnic. Eighty people came to the pavilion for lunch and brought a
grand array of good things to eat. Afterwards, we reassembled at the
hill to wave goodbye to the port-a-potty and cut the ribbon for the
official opening of the renovated bathrooms. We do find a lot of ways
to have fun!
November means less people and more wildlife. Although the number
of observers plummets during the cold spells, those who do come to
the hill often enjoy a view of the more unusual creatures. A number
of deer including an eight point buck crossed the hill from time to
time, and on a rainy day a beautiful Red Fox came within a few yards
of the butterfly garden. Even a skunk walked by one day.
The first week of the month was slow, migration seemed to have
stopped. Then 7 Red shoulders on November 6th and 28 Redtails were a
pleasant surprise, but they were followed by three days of rain.
Frank Welsh did not become a compiler until 1991 but with four
mornings a week he has put in more official hours than anyone else
has. Monday through Thursday mornings he is Mr. Militia Hill. On
November 11th Frank counted 40 raptors and 40 loons on the 12th 40
Tundra Swans and on the 15th he recorded our first Goshawk of the
season.
Around this time we enjoyed a Fox Sparrow, 3 Purple Finches, 8
Pine Siskins and both Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches at
the feeders. Evening Grosbeaks flew over but did not stop.
Wind chills in the teens on November 18th brought 49 loons, more
Snow Geese and hundreds of Canada Geese, but only 12 raptors.
Very cold days of November 24th and 25th brought a late Osprey, 7
Red-shoulders and a Peregrine Falcon among the 35 raptors
counted.
Our Thanksgiving turkeys and a White-winged Crossbill were the
highlights of what was otherwise a very soggy late November. The
crossbill stopped briefly at the top of a tree, a new bird for Fort
Washington.
A surprise in the form of Air Force One and 2 Tundra Swans were
spotted among the 33 raptors recorded on November 30th. Then we were
washed out on the last day leaving us without a Golden Eagle or a
Rough-legged Hawk and a total of only 346 raptors for the month. But 11,182
raptors for the season made this the 4th best year out of ten.
As a group we have developed an interest in many different
aspects of the world as viewed from our hill. From the tiniest insect
to the flower it is attracted to. From the creatures that come to our
garden for the food we supply, to those who come to our garden to
feed upon the plants. From the raptors who migrate, to the
nourishment they require along the way. The thermals that support
them, and the winds that buffet them, and all that we find as we
scan, from astonishing aircraft to snowflakes and rainbows. All these
wonders and more will bring us back in September eager to start
again.
This year, the Militia Hill Hawk Watch will be held only during
September and October. I apologize for those of you who are
disappointed by this decision, but I find that a compromise is
necessary at this time. I am sure many of us will still find
ourselves on the deck after a cold front just to see what November
brings. But no official records will be kept after October 31.
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