Raptor Diaries
The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Raptor Diaries is a blog sharing first person accounts of the many happenings on the Mountain and in the field for our many Members, supporters, and raptor enthusiasts worldwide!
Meeting with the Vulture Committees
Posted on November 11, 2021 in In the Field by Bracken Brown, HMS Biologist-Naturalist
HMS biologist Bracken Brown shares an update on the recently completed vulture road surveys and their important role in understanding regional vulture populations.
Won Over by Black Vultures
Posted on October 22, 2021 in In the Field by Caroline Fegley
Former trainee Caroline Fegley shares her first experience observing and working with local black vultures.
Hawk Mountain Conservation Corps Heads to Maine
Posted on September 30, 2021 in On the Mountain by Todd Bauman
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary 2021 White-tailed Deer Spotlight Survey
Posted on September 19, 2021 in A Year in Stewardship by Stephen Wade, Sanctuary Steward
On March 17, 2021, at approximately 19:00 hours, the Hawk Mountain Stewardship Department conducted our first white-tailed deer spotlight survey in conjunction with our esteemed colleagues from the Conservation Science Department.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary 2021 White-tailed Deer Spotlight Survey - Read More
The Earliest of Migrations
Posted on September 19, 2021 in A Year in Stewardship by Todd Bauman
Migration doesn't just happen in the sky! Check out the migration that takes place at vernal pools within our surrounding forests.
Stewardship Reducing Risk Trees
Posted on September 18, 2021 in A Year in Stewardship by Todd Bauman
The Stewardship team regularly removes "risk" trees.
Snowstorm Cleanup
Posted on September 18, 2021 in A Year in Stewardship by Todd Bauman
The HMS Stewardship shovels out the Sanctuary during and after the Jan-Feb 2021 storm.
The First Tracks After the Storm
Posted on September 18, 2021 in A Year in Stewardship by Todd Bauman
Director of Stewardship Todd Bauman and his wife get to be the first to traverse the newly fallen snow on the Sanctuary trails.
Sanctuary Steward Journeys Home
Posted on September 18, 2021 in A Year in Stewardship by Todd Bauman
Director of Stewardship Todd Bauman snowshoes home along the Mountain to enjoy the peaceful winter weather.
Mountain Family Snowshoe
Posted on September 18, 2021 in A Year in Stewardship by Todd Bauman
Future of Forest Birds
Posted on September 18, 2021 in A Year in Stewardship by Todd Bauman
Hawk Mountain not only has the longest standing raptor count, but also of forest birds.
The Broad-winged Hawk Project Expands its Wings to Connecticut
Posted on September 07, 2021 in In the Field by Larry Fischer
Collaborator Larry Fischer recounts his experience this past spring trapping and tracking broad-winged hawks in Connecticut with HMS biologists.
The Broad-winged Hawk Project Expands its Wings to Connecticut - Read More
Cinereous Vulture Conservation in Portugal
Posted on September 05, 2021 in In the Field by Alfonso Godino
Trainee Alumni and current collaborator Alfonso Godino recounts another successful summer of tagging and tracking cinereous vultures in Portugal.
Hawk Mountain Soars Through a Successful Season of Summer Camps
Posted on August 27, 2021 in On the Mountain by Sean Grace, President
President Sean Grace reflects on this past summer of successful summer camps, and their impact on the future of environmental and wildlife conservation.
Hawk Mountain Soars Through a Successful Season of Summer Camps - Read More
The Expanding Broad-winged Hawk Project
Posted on August 16, 2021 in In the Field by Phil Brown, Harris Center for Conservation Education
Phil Brown from the Harris Center for Conservation Education shared the recent success of our recent collaboration studying broad-winged hawks in New Hampshire.
Does the Cerulean Warbler Have the Blues?
Posted on July 06, 2021 in On the Mountain by Sean Grace, President
Our stewardship team is working to apply best forest management practices to try and revive the local cerulean warbler population and quickly recover native plants in our patch of the forest.
Heroes of Hawk Mountain: Franklin Kury
Posted on June 18, 2021 in Heroes of Hawk Mountain by Mary Linkevich, Director of Development
Hawk Mountain honors former board member and long-time friend Franklin Kury for his extraordinary contributions to conservation.
Women in Conservation: Hawk Mountain Trainee Alumnae
Posted on April 21, 2021 in In the Field by Rebekah Smith, Science-Education Outreach Coordinator
Although gender equity is still a work in progress in STEM fields such as raptor conservation, Hawk Mountain continues to support women in conservation by hosting a majority of female trainees since the start of the traineeship program. In this blog, hear from several former female trainees about their journeys in conservation.
Women in Conservation: Hawk Mountain Trainee Alumnae - Read More
Heroes of Hawk Mountain: Female Founders
Posted on March 31, 2021 in Heroes of Hawk Mountain by Rebekah Smith, Science-Education Outreach Coordinator
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we highlight some of the women who have had a direct hand in shaping Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s legacy.
A Girl in Conservation
Posted on March 17, 2021 in In the Field by Anisha Pokharel, 2016 Conservation Science Trainee
Former conservation science trainee Anisha Pokharel shares her experience being an up and coming female conservationist.
Generations of Women in Conservation Inspiring Education at Hawk Mountain
Posted on March 10, 2021 in On the Mountain by Jamie Dawson, Director of Education
Director of Education Jamie Dawson reflects on her path to Hawk Mountain and the impact of influential women both in her life and in the history of Hawk Mountain.
Generations of Women in Conservation Inspiring Education at Hawk Mountain - Read More
Women in Conservation at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Posted on March 05, 2021 in On the Mountain by Rebekah Smith, Science-Education Outreach Coordinator, & Several Staff Members
Hawk Mountain represents a model for gender inclusivity and equity for other conservation organizations across the county and abroad. In this blog, enjoy perspectives shared by female Sanctuary staff members.
Women in Conservation at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary - Read More
Welcome to Sanctuary Stewardship
Posted on January 29, 2021 in A Year in Stewardship by Todd Bauman
On the Shoulders of Giants
Posted on December 28, 2020 in On the Mountain by Tianna Johnson, 2020 Education Trainee
2020 Trainee Tianna Johnson shares the impact the education traineeship had on her as a hands-on scientist and as a science communicator.
Reflection on the Rocks
Posted on December 22, 2020 in On the Mountain by Brandon Brogle, 2020 Conservation Trainee
2020 Trainee Brandon Brogle recounts how much he learned during his traineeship experience from the many different people and facets of the Sanctuary.
How Hawk Mountain Changed Me
Posted on December 17, 2020 in On the Mountain by Andrea Drumbore, 2020 EducationTrainee
2020 Trainee Andrea Drumbore reminisces on how she has grown as a confident educator during her time at Hawk Mountain.
Best of Both Worlds
Posted on December 11, 2020 in On the Mountain by Alyssa Polanksy, 2020 Conservation Trainee
2020 Trainee Alyssa Polansky reminisces on her time at the Mountain both as a former education trainee and recently as a science trainee, and how her experiences as both have set her up for success in her career.
When Raptors Roam Underground
Posted on November 16, 2020 in In the Field by Zoe Bonerbo, Former Conservation Education and Science Trainee
Former Conservation Trainee Zoe Bonerbo recounts her recent work observing and studying populations of burrowing owls in Florida.
Remembering Dotty Brett
Posted on October 21, 2020 in Heroes of Hawk Mountain by Mary Linkevich, Director of Development
Hawk Mountain lost a dear friend with the recent passing of Dottie Brett, a long-time friend and supporter of Hawk Mountain and the Kempton Valley community.
A Canadian Collaboration: Part 2
Posted on July 10, 2020 in In the Field by R. McCabe, C. England, M. Wilson
A new broadwing tagging and tracking collaboration finds success in Ontario, Canada. Part 1 is Where Broadwings Roam.
Where the Broadwings Roam
Posted on June 29, 2020 in In the Field by M.Wilson, C.England, R.McCabe
A new broadwing tagging collaboration helps expand research and conservation efforts throughout North America.
Mountain to Sea: 10 Year Anniversary
Posted on June 05, 2020 in In the Field by Mary Linkevich, Director of Development
Ten years ago, several HMS employees decided to take on an adventurous journey, proving the connectivity of people and places within a watershed, and how one's actions here can affect people and places more than 250 miles from home.
Looking Back at Hawk Mountain 2020 Winter Bird Population Surveys
Posted on May 28, 2020 in On the Mountain by Bracken Brown, Biologist-Naturalist, and Rebekah Smith, Science-Education Outreach Coordinator
Along with the annual fall and spring raptor migration counts, the Sanctuary has been surveying how birds use the Hawk Mountain landscape by performing long-term breeding and winter bird surveys.
Looking Back at Hawk Mountain 2020 Winter Bird Population Surveys - Read More
Heroes of Hawk Mountain: Fred Wetzel
Posted on May 06, 2020 in Heroes of Hawk Mountain by Hawk Mountain
Becoming a Raptor Up Close Volunteer
Posted on April 24, 2020 in On the Mountain by Kelsey Schwenk, Volunteer
Volunteer Kelsey Schwenk reminisces about her journey to becoming a Raptors Up Close volunteer under the mentorship of long-time volunteer Cheryl Faust.
Wilderness First Responder: Spanning Generations at Hawk Mountain.
Posted on April 10, 2020 in On the Mountain by Christopher Broughton-Bossong, FF/AEMT
Read more about how Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s stewardship team has served to expand our growing community through the eyes of Christopher Broughton-Bossong, who has taught wilderness first responder courses on the Mountain since 2015.
Wilderness First Responder: Spanning Generations at Hawk Mountain. - Read More
On the Road to Becoming a Hawk Mountain “Raptors Up Close!” Mentor
Posted on March 30, 2020 in On the Mountain by Cheryl Faust, Volunteer
Raptor Care Volunteer Cheryl Faust has been an important asset to helping our Educators train new volunteers to be a part of our Raptor Care efforts and public education programming.
On the Road to Becoming a Hawk Mountain “Raptors Up Close!” Mentor - Read More
How Being an Environmental Educator Made Me a Better Scientist
Posted on March 17, 2020 in In the Field by Shannon Lambert, Spring 2019 Education Trainee
Shannon's training in environmental education at Hawk Mountain taught her the importance of public outreach and advanced critical thinking when it comes to developing research projects and working in the field, especially now as she pursues a master's degree.
How Being an Environmental Educator Made Me a Better Scientist - Read More
How Hawk Mountain Helped Bring Vulture Awareness to The Gambia
Posted on January 27, 2020 in In the Field by Momodou Lamin Dibba, Spring 2019 Conservation Science Trainee
Read about how Spring 2019 Trainee Alumni Momodou Dibba has been inspired by Hawk Mountain to continue to bring vulture positivity to The Gambia through research and education in our newly posted blog. Momodou will be continuing his hooded vulture research this year and hopes to collect information about their population in The Gambia by surveying local slaughterhouses.
How Hawk Mountain Helped Bring Vulture Awareness to The Gambia - Read More
Bridging the Gap
Posted on January 21, 2020 in On the Mountain by Diana Myers, Education Trainee 2019
Diana joined Hawk Mountain as a 2019 Education and Science Trainee and enjoyed learning how to bridge the gap between hands-on research and educating audience members of all ages on the importance of local-to-global conservation.
The Decade is Down for the Count
Posted on December 19, 2019 in On the Mountain by Hawk Mountain Staff
SOAR to Greater Heights
Posted on December 13, 2019 in In the Field by Merlyn Nkomo, former conservation science trainee
Raptor Field Techniques Are Not Just for Scientists Anymore
Posted on November 30, 2019 in On the Mountain by Amy Haus
Raptor Field Techniques Are Not Just for Scientists Anymore - Read More
Thermal Scouting
Posted on November 27, 2019 in In the Field by Bracken Brown, Hawk Mountain Biologist-Naturalist
Surviving the Winter with the World’s Southernmost Bird of Prey
Posted on November 14, 2019 in In the Field by Katie Harrington, Hawk Mountain Research Associate & Former Conservation Science Trainee
Katie Harrington Hawk Mountain Research Associate & former trainee in which she recalls her recent field study trip to observe Falkland Islands' Johnny Rooks a.k.a. striated caracaras and their winter vs. summer feeding behaviors.
Surviving the Winter with the World’s Southernmost Bird of Prey - Read More
Batumi Crossroads
Posted on October 30, 2019 in In the Field by Dr. JF Therrien, Senior Scientist
The Broad-winged Hawks of Mountaineer Village
Posted on October 23, 2019 in In the Field by Holly Hartshorne, Volunteer
Temporary Tattoos for Long-term Conservation
Posted on October 10, 2019 in In the Field by Jillian Hojsak, Summer 2018 Conservation Science Trainee
Inside the Arctic Blind
Posted on September 17, 2019 in In the Field by Rebecca McCabe, PhD Candidate McGill University, Hawk Mountain Graduate Student
The Peaks of my Hawk Mountain Journey
Posted on September 06, 2019 in On the Mountain by Alyssa Polansky, Summer 2019 Education Trainee
Leaving the Nest
Posted on August 22, 2019 in On the Mountain by Gianna Destefani, Communications Intern
Flying in Tandem
Posted on August 09, 2019 in On the Mountain by Shannon Lambert, Spring 2019 Education Trainee Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
The Burrow Master
Posted on July 31, 2019 in In the Field by Zoey Greenberg, Science-Education Outreach Coordinator Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Wonderful and Wild: Volunteering at Hawk Mountain
Posted on July 18, 2019 in On the Mountain by Sandy Lockerman, long-time volunteer
Wonderful and Wild: Volunteering at Hawk Mountain - Read More
Power Lines Remain a Threat for the Endangered Cinereous Vulture
Posted on May 16, 2019 in In the Field by Alfonso Godino, Research Associate
Power Lines Remain a Threat for the Endangered Cinereous Vulture - Read More
Trailblazing for Armenian Raptors
Posted on May 09, 2019 in In the Field by Levon Harutyunyan, former conservation science trainee Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Environmental Literacy: A Continuum
Posted on April 24, 2019 in In the Field by Zoey Greenberg, Science Outreach Leadership Trainee
Molded by the Mountain
Posted on March 28, 2019 in On the Mountain by Adehl Schwaderer, former conservation trainee
Heroes of Hawk Mountain: Tom Cade
Posted on March 21, 2019 in Heroes of Hawk Mountain by Mary Linkevich, Director of Development
The Mystery of Pennsylvania's Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Posted on March 06, 2019 in In the Field by David Barber, Research Biologist
The Mystery of Pennsylvania's Lesser Black-backed Gulls - Read More
Land of the Sky Clowns
Posted on February 22, 2019 in In the Field by Zoey Greenberg, Science Outreach Leadership Trainee
Heroes of Hawk Mountain: Fred Beste
Posted on February 14, 2019 in Heroes of Hawk Mountain by Mary Linkevich, Director of Development
Please Pass the Machete: The Quest for the Harpy Eagle
Posted on February 04, 2019 in In the Field by Jamie Dawson, Educator
They were a venturing on this mysterious Central American journey and forever bound in fellowship forged by the quest for the elusive harpy eagle.
Please Pass the Machete: The Quest for the Harpy Eagle - Read More
Thar She Soars!
Posted on January 24, 2019 in In the Field by Zoey Greenberg, Science Outreach Leadership Trainee
Soaring to Panama
Posted on January 14, 2019 in In the Field by Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Director of Long-term Monitoring
Heroes of Hawk Mountain: Sarkis Acopian
Posted on December 24, 2018 in Heroes of Hawk Mountain by Hawk Mountain
Irruptions and Innovation
Posted on December 21, 2018 in In the Field by Zoey Greenberg, Science Outreach Coordinator
Trainee to International Conservation Pioneer
Posted on December 14, 2018 in In the Field by Alfonso Godino, Research Associate
Across the Pond with Raptor Care Rockstar
Posted on December 05, 2018 in In the Field by Rachel Iola Taras, Educator
Across the Pond with Raptor Care Rock Star
Posted on December 05, 2018 in On the Mountain
Across the Pond with Raptor Care Rock Star
Heroes of Hawk Mountain: Warner Berthoff
Posted on November 26, 2018 in Heroes of Hawk Mountain by Hawk Mountain
Informally Influential
Posted on November 14, 2018 in In the Field by Zoey Greenberg, Science Outreach Coordinator
Tips for Conference Confidence
Posted on November 09, 2018 in In the Field by Zoe Bonerbo, Summer 2018 Education Intern
Partnership of Promise
Posted on November 01, 2018 in In the Field by Zoey Greenberg, Science Outreach Coordinator
The Challenge in the Joy of Learning: Batumi 2018
Posted on October 31, 2018 in In the Field by Paulina Camarena, 2016 Conservation Science Trainee
The Challenge in the Joy of Learning: Batumi 2018 - Read More
Heroes of Hawk Mountain: Ben Olewine IV
Posted on October 18, 2018 in On the Mountain by Mary Linkevich, Director of Development
Batumi: The Final Frontier for Raptor Conservation
Posted on October 04, 2018 in In the Field by Sean Grace, President
Batumi: The Final Frontier for Raptor Conservation - Read More
Home Among the Hills
Posted on September 20, 2018 in On the Mountain by Karissa Elser, Education Intern
Cyrus Klingsberg
Posted on September 12, 2018 in Heroes of Hawk Mountain by Hawk Mountain
A retired senior scientist at the Department of Energy, Cyrus has published dozens of articles and lectured abroad, but during his downtime, he and his late wife Vera enjoyed nature and the movement of birds. The two were long-time Hawk Mountain members.
Night Wanderers
Posted on August 24, 2018 in On the Mountain by Zoe Bonerbo, Summer 2018 Education Intern
The Circumference of Home
Posted on August 08, 2018 in In the Field by Maren Cole, Conservation Corps Member
Preserving Diversity in Education
Posted on July 24, 2018 in On the Mountain by Rachel Spagnola, Senior Educator
Searching for Two Secretive Forest-Raptors
Posted on July 05, 2018 in In the Field by Lauren Sarnese, Goshawk and Broadwing Project Field Assistant 2018
Monitoring Migration in Eilat, Israel
Posted on June 20, 2018 in In the Field by Ana De Osma Vargas-Machuca, Autumn 2016 Conservation Science Trainee
The Best Kept Secret at Hawk Mountain
Posted on May 31, 2018 in On the Mountain by Sean Grace, President
Cape Coral Kestrels
Posted on April 25, 2018 in In the Field by Kirsten Fuller, Spring 2018 Conservation Science Trainee
Springtime in Montana
Posted on April 11, 2018 in In the Field by Dr. Jean-Francois Therrien, Senior Research Biologist
A Back-to-Back Snowy Owl Adventure
Posted on March 28, 2018 in Blog by Rebecca McCabe, PhD Student, McGill University Hawk Mountain Research Assistant
Sharing Experiences in Conservation
Posted on March 13, 2018 in On the Mountain by Christine Whitehair, Autumn 2017 Conservation Science Trainee
Quick Q&A with the New President
Posted on February 21, 2018 in On the Mountain by Hawk Mountain
Eyes Up and Open
Posted on February 14, 2018 in On the Mountain by Abigail DeVizia, 2017 Hawk Mountain Artist in Residence
Percy the Victorious Vulture: A Hit in Zimbabwe
Posted on January 24, 2018 in In the Field by Merlyn Nomusa Nkomo, Former Conservation Science Trainee
On the Vulture Chronicles: Vulture Detectives Pt 2
Posted on January 10, 2018 in In the Field by Adehl Schwaderer, former Conservation Science Trainee
On the Vulture Chronicles: Vulture Detectives Pt 2 - Read More
On the Vulture Chronicles: Vulture Detectives Pt 1
Posted on January 03, 2018 in In the Field by Zoey Greenberg, former Conservation Science Trainee
On the Vulture Chronicles: Vulture Detectives Pt 1 - Read More
Late Migration Mountain Musings
Posted on December 20, 2017 in On the Mountain by Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Director of Long-term Monitoring
Adventures and Advancements in Captive Raptor Management
Posted on December 12, 2017 in On the Mountain by Rachel Spagnola, Senior Educator
Adventures and Advancements in Captive Raptor Management - Read More
Best Laid Plans
Posted on November 30, 2017 in On the Mountain by Andrea Ambrose, Education Intern
Going the Distance, Pt. 2
Posted on November 16, 2017 in In the Field by Adam Carter, Educator
Culture in Conservation
Posted on November 08, 2017 in In the Field by Merlyn Nomusa Nkomo, Former Conservation Science Trainee
Hawk Mountain's Educational Research
Posted on October 25, 2017 in In the Field by Kirsten Fuller, former education intern
One-Health on the Horizon
Posted on October 11, 2017 in In the Field by Rebekah Smith, Former Education Intern
Red-Letter Days
Posted on September 28, 2017 in On the Mountain by David Barber, Research Biologist
Soaring Opportunities
Posted on August 17, 2017 in In the Field by Kirsten Fuller, former education intern
Research Serendipity
Posted on August 04, 2017 in In the Field by JF Therrien, Senior Research Biologist
Nature's Reverberations
Posted on July 19, 2017 in On the Mountain by Rachel Iola Spagnola, Senior Educator
Cyprus: An Island of Birds
Posted on July 12, 2017 in In the Field by ebekah Smith, Education Intern
Raptor Reflection from Across the Pond
Posted on June 25, 2017 in In the Field by Zoey Greenberg, Former Education Intern
From Here, I Will Soar
Posted on June 22, 2017 in On the Mountain by Merlyn Nomusa Nkomo, Spring 2017 Conservation Science Trainee
Going the Distance
Posted on June 14, 2017 in Blog by Adam Carter, Educator
Keep Farmland Raptors Soaring
Posted on May 31, 2017 in In the Field by Katie Andrews, PA Farmland Raptors Volunteer
A Day in the Field Searching for Goshawks
Posted on May 25, 2017 in In the Field by Rebecca McCabe, Graduate Student, & Zach Bordner, Broadwing Field Assistant
Spring Migration Wrap Up: Breaking Records!
Posted on May 19, 2017 in On the Mountain by Gigi Romano, Communications Specialist
Bridging the Gap of Research and Education
Posted on May 03, 2017 in On the Mountain by Kirsten Fuller, Education Intern
In Quest of the "Blue Hawk" on Hawk Mountain
Posted on April 19, 2017 in In the Field by Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Director of Long-Term Monitoring
Out in the Field
Posted on April 10, 2017 in In the Field by Katie Harrington, Research Associate and Former Conservation Science Trainee
Thermal of Conservation
Posted on March 22, 2017 in On the Mountain by Zoey Greenberg, Education Inter
Turkey Vulture Life Histories Revealed
Posted on March 13, 2017 in In the Field by Wouter Vansteelant, Visiting Scientist
Osprey Crossing | Photo of the Week
Posted on March 01, 2017 in On the Mountain by Hawk Mountain
Take a Trip to the Trails
Posted on February 22, 2017 in On the Mountain by Gigi Romano, Communications Specialist
Annual Raptor Care and Wellness
Posted on February 13, 2017 in On the Mountain by Susan Pello, VMD, MS
Hawk Mountain - In the Zone!
Posted on January 30, 2017 in On the Mountain by Breanna Bennett, Undergraduate Researcher
Photos of the Week
Posted on January 17, 2017 in On the Mountain by Hawk Mountain
Hello from our New President
Posted on January 12, 2017 in On the Mountain by Geri Unger, President
Extending Our Reach
Posted on December 29, 2016 in On the Mountain by Erin Brown, Director of Education
On the Vulture Chronicles: Finicky Feeders
Posted on December 19, 2016 in In the Field by Keith L. Bildstein, Ph.D., Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science
Raven Games and Eagle Skies
Posted on December 12, 2016 in On the Mountain by Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Director of Long-term Monitoring
Over the Coast and Far Away | Tracking Peregrine Falcons
Posted on November 14, 2016 in In the Field by Hawk Mountain
Over the Coast and Far Away | Tracking Peregrine Falcons - Read More
On the Vulture Chronicles: Goodbye Homebody
Posted on November 14, 2016 in In the Field by Keith L. Bildstein, Ph.D., Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science
On the Vulture Chronicles: Senegal's "Hoodies"
Posted on November 14, 2016 in In the Field by Keith L. Bildstein, Ph.D., Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science