The hawk watch runs from September 1st through October 31st each year with volunteer compilers on duty every day from 9AM to 5 PM. We have just finished our 25th year of compiling and it was our best year ever .

Thanks to all our faithful and dedicated compilers and thanks to all the people who came up and joined us.

See you all next year, same time, same place.

To check out the daily counts at Militia Hill and other sites around the country visit HAWKCOUNT September 2012 Daily Totals
October 2012 Daily Totals Our totals for 2012
Cumulative totals 1988-2012

10/11/12....Juvenile Golden Eagle

All data collected at this hawk watch and others is being sent to the Hawk Migration Association of North America to be included in their database of raptor migration information.

1988-2011 Cumulative Flight Totals
The 2011 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Rich Conroy
The 2010 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Rich Conroy
The 2009 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Rich Conroy
The 2008 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Rich Conroy
The 2007 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Marylea Klauder & Jane Henderson
The 2006 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Jane Henderson & Marylea Klauder
The 2005 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Jane Henderson & Marylea Klauder
The 2004 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Jane Henderson
The 2003 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Jane Henderson
The 2002 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Jane Henderson
The 2001 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Jane Henderson
The 2000 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Jane Henderson
The 1999 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Jane Henderson
The 1998 Militia Hill Hawk Watch Report : by Jane Henderson
Ten Years: 100,000 Raptors : a recollection by Marylea Klauder

"The Star of the Hill - 2009 "
A Swallow-tailed Kite visits the hawk watch

c.2009 Devich Farbotnik

Perched Red-tailed Hawk - 2010

Marylea Klauder Honored

Hawk Watcher founder and guiding light, Marylea Klauder was honored at a special ceremony held at Fort Washington State Park on July 2, 2007.

For 28 years of volunteer work at the Park and for her tireless work on the Militia Hill Hawk Watch, Marylea was named the 2006 Conservation Volunteer of the Year by the PA Bureau of State Parks.

Marylea established the hawk watch in 1988. After 20 years, she is now training the next generation to take over but it is unlikely anyone will ever fill the enormous shoes she leaves behind. Fortunately, Marylea has no plans to leave and will remain a strong conservation voice at the Park for many years to come.

Congratulations Marylea.

Excitement on the hill.... Visit the new hawk watch platform .

DEDICATION OF NEW PLATFORM

Marylea Klauder cuts the ribbon at the dedication of the new hawk watch platform. With her (from left to right) Pa. DCNR Secretary Mike DiBerardinis, Ft. Washington State Park Superintendent Josh Bruce, Friends of Fort Washington State Park President Dick Flavell and State Park Staff Larry Gallagher. Photo by Cliff Hence

Special August 2004 Visitor

a Hickory Horned Devil caterpillar was observed in the park in August. The caterpillar, measuring 6" in length, will eventually mature into a Regal (or Royal) Walnut Moth with a wingspan of 5 1/2"

More Reasons to Visit

School Groups find a visit to Militia Hill an excellent way to learn about and observe the natural world. We get many such visits throughout the season. If you are a teacher or parent consider visiting. Contact us and we will arrange someone to meet you to answer any questions you may have.

Visitors have discovered that Militia Hill and the surrounding park offer an excellent opportunity to observe butterflies as well as birds. We have even planted a beautiful butterfly garden at the base of the observation deck to make butterfly watching even easier.

In 2000, we were rewarded for our efforts by the first recorded appearance of several Pipevine Swallowtails, a species more likely to be found south of here. Excellent views were to be had right from the deck.