Raccoon Ridge
November 8 2014
Leader: Mike Anderson
November 8 2014
Leader: Mike Anderson
On Saturday, November 8th, 2014, I got to cross two things off of my bucket list: 1. Hike the Appalachian Trail and 2. See a Golden Eagle. Ok, maybe I didn't hike the whole trail, but I got to hike part of it as part of the journey up to the Raccoon Ridge Hawkwatch located along the Kittatinny Mountains in Western New Jersey. Led by Mike Anderson, 4 young birders and 2 parents made their way up the AT (Appalachian Trail) overlooking the Delaware River to visit one of New Jersey's premier hawkwatching sites. On the way up there were very few birds, but the ones we saw included a few Hermit Thrushes, a Golden-crowned Kinglet, and right on cue as we speaking about them a pair of flyover Pine Siskins. These higher quality birds led right up to the actual hawkwatch spot, which already had many birders on it. Over the next few hours, we saw both vulture species, a Northern Harrier, a few Sharp-shinned Hawks, many Bald Eagles, Red-shouldered Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, an American Kestrel, and the highlight of the day, a Golden Eagle. The Golden Eagle cruised past the hawkwatch and then circled for a little while with some ravens, allowing each attending member of the NJYBC to get a look at this unique lifer for all of us. This bird marked the first time (that I can remember) that every attending NJYBC member got the same bird as a lifer on a trip. It was a special moment for all of us, and it made it worth the long hike up the AT to see it! After looking at more passing raptors and some nearby bluebirds, the group eventually decided to head back after spending hours atop one of NJ's more beautiful places. Unfortunately on the way back, the young birders were so caught up in talking to each other that we got ahead of Mike Anderson and missed a flyby adult Northern Goshawk! After our initial shock, the group resolved to finding a goshawk another time, but also to never leaving the group leader again! Overall, the group had a blast and thoroughly enjoyed our day on the mountain ridge. Thanks to Mike Anderson for being a great leader once again, and thanks to the young birders' parents who made the long drive out to this remote, but beautiful area of NJ!
-Trip report by Andrew Marden
-Trip report by Andrew Marden