Nature Done Wright

Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs

September 16, 2024

State Line Lookout: Sept. 16

Legendary raptor guy Stiles Thomas, who founded the hawk watches at Mount Peter and Hook Mountain and helped resuscitate the State Line Hawk Watch, always said he circled September 16 on his calendar as a likely Big Day for Broad-winged hawk migration.

My wife Patty and I stopped by State Line Hawk Watch with Stiles' old hawk-watching chair to honor his memory, and to enjoy the banter with birding friends.

Although the raptor counting was slow while we were there — 78 degrees and no winds — Una the Peregrine flew to her perch at the hawk watch at one point and posed for pictures for the raptorazzi.

We were treated to a Bald Eagle that flew directly overhead.

I thought I'd share a few photos, including one of Una and some of her admirers, above. Una is at the lower right in the crowd shot.

You can't miss her in the other photo.

As usual, she declined to sign autographs, but it was still a Big Day in its own way.

(Moe Lehmann kindly shared his Bald Eagle shot. Thanks, Moe!)