January
Dark-eyed Junco at feeders
- Winter birds such as Pine Siskins, Common Redpolls, and Dark-eyed Juncos seen at feeders all month.
- First two weeks—last southbound raptors, such as Bald Eagles, pass North Lookout
- Last week—first Northbound raptors, such as Bald Eagles, pass North Lookout
- Great Horned Owls set up territories, nest, and lay eggs.
February
Chipmunks emerge in February
- Turkey Vultures return to the lookout during the first week.
- Chipmunks emerge from their winter homes and return to the feeders.
- Red-tailed Hawks court and begin building nests.
- Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles can be seen flying over Hawk Mountain on their way back north.
- Warm weather usually brings out the first few Wood and Green Frogs of the season.
March
Spotted Salamander, Photo by Kerry Grim
- Colt’s Foot blooms as the first flower of spring early in the month.
- Spring Azures, Mourning Cloaks, Eastern Commas and other spring butterflies emerge.
- Fox Sparrows can be found at the feeders on their way north.
- Eastern Phoebes return by mid-month and sing around the Visitor Center .
- Wood Frogs, Spring Peepers, and Spotted Salamanders begin their mating rituals with the first warm rains.
April
Hooded Warbler photo by Bill Moses
- Black bears are out and about and young cubs are regularly seen.
- Bird song is on the increase as Robins set up territories.
- Barn and Tree Swallows can be seen flying overhead on their return north.
- Spring raptor migration reaches its peak with the return of Osprey and Broad-winged Hawks during the third week.
- Ovenbirds, Wood Thrushes, other warblers, tanagers, vireos, and other neotropical migrants return by the end of the month.
- Spring wildflowers such as May Apples, trillium, violets, and Rue Anemones hit their peak during this month.
- Spring butterflies such as Dusky-wings and Azures hit their peak.
- Green Frogs, Pickerel Frogs, and American Toads are vocal as their mating season peaks.
- The first reptiles such as Black Rat Snakes and Ring-necked Snakes can be found.
May
Pink Lady Slipper photo by Jeff Glover
- Spring warbler migration reaches its peak in the first two weeks.
- Migrant birds set up territories and begin nesting by the end of the month.
- Amphibian activity reaches its peak with up to 14 species active on rainy nights.
- Wild Azalea, Pink Lady Slippers, and Wild Columbine bloom.
- Many butterflies such as Hobomok Skipper, Indian Skipper, and Northern Cloudy-wing reach their peak.
- Broad-winged Hawks can be seen building their nests.
July
Adult Bald Eagle photo by Bill Moses
- Rhododendrons and Milkweed reach full bloom.
- Butterfly diversity peaks near 4th of July.
- The first fall migrant birds are found late in the month, and usually the first southbound Bald Eagle is seen from North Lookout.
- Reptiles are most obvious and easily found sunning themselves early in the morning in boulder openings.
August
Black bear at North Lookout
- Hawk migration picks up and the official count begins August 15th.
- Broad-winged Hawks, Osprey, and Bald Eagles are passing in fair numbers by the end of the month.
- Other migrant birds such as warblers are seen in small numbers.
- Ruby-throated Hummingbirds peak in late August.
- Marbled Salamanders begin their mating rituals at their breeding ponds.
- Bear sightings begin to pick up.
October
Autumn foliage at North Lookout. Photo by Shawn Carey
- Diversity of raptors peaks at north lookout near Columbus Day.
- Accipiters and falcons peak in the first two weeks.
- Warblers still can be found in fair numbers and the first winter residents such as kinglets and juncos are seen.
- Canada Goose numbers peak.
- Leaf color peaks by the second half of the month.
November
Golden Eagle photo by Brian K Wheeler
- Large raptors such as Red-tailed Hawks, Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, and Northern Goshawks come through in good numbers.
- Golden Eagle migration peaks during first two weeks.
- Summer birds have been almost entirely replaced by winter birds.
December
Red-tailed Hawk photo by Jeff Schmoyer
- Hawk migration slows down as only handfuls of Eagles, Goshawks, and Red-tailed Hawks pass the lookout.
- The official count ends December 15th.