Hawk Mountain bird-watchers (Photo: Kevin Watson)
Spend two days at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the world’s first refuge for birds of prey and an international center for raptor conservation, where eagles, falcons, hawks, and osprey soar high over a mountaintop preserve that glows with fall foliage.
These are among the species represented at the 2,600-acre sanctuary, which offers stunning scenic overlooks, 8 miles of trail, a visitor center, native plant garden, and the Acopian Center for Conservational Learning.
Along with more than 13,000 acres of private and public lands, the preserve is part of one of the largest protected tracts of contiguous forest in southeastern Pennsylvania. In addition to its raptor population, Hawk Mountain is an important mammal area (you’ll see lots of chipmunks) and the site of an international pilot project of the Pennsylvania Biological Survey.
Your time on the mountain—at the height of the fall migration season—begins with a staff-led orientation followed by a picnic box lunch. Then enjoy an afternoon that includes behind-the-scenes glimpses of the sanctuary’s important work, a hike, special activities, and some up-close time with raptors. The day winds down with a private tour of Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville, the oldest in America, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Return on Saturday morning for a different perspective on the mountain. Enjoy some free time to take in the sanctuary at your own pace, or join park staff in guided activities that cover topics such as binocular basics, identifying raptors, and trapping and tracking research techniques.
Bring along your binoculars and camera. There will be plenty of spectacular things to see and to remember. The tour includes walking, hiking, and standing on uneven and rocky terrain; moderate and easier hiking options are available. Sturdy shoes are necessary, and closed-toe shoes are required for the brewery tour.
A stop is made en route home on Saturday to purchase a meal.
GENERAL DETAILS
- Cost includes a boxed lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday lunch.
- Tour departs by bus from the Mayflower Hotel, Connecticut Ave. and DeSales St., NW, with a pickup stop at the I-495 Exit 27 carpool lot, at about 7:55 a.m.
- Single-room supplement $60 (factored into the Single Room Member and Single Room Non-Member pricing).
- Singles registering at the double-room rate are paired (on a nonsmoking basis) if possible, but must pay the single-room supplement otherwise.
- Detailed information is mailed to registrants about four weeks prior to departure.
- Registrants may want to consider purchasing trip insurance.
