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One of my favorite things to do on recent fall weekends has been to go to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, just a few minutes from me in Kempton, PA.  I picked up the annual membership on my second visit of the year and have been back several times since, so I’m starting to learn a few things.  Last time I was up to the North Lookout was last Saturday, which was a slow day as far as hawk sightings were concerned.  Between sightings one of the volunteers was nice enough to point out the various landmarks that the spotters use to call out a bird’s location as it approaches.  They will call out things like “accipiter over 5″ or “eagle over Hunters”.  Knowing these really help you pick the birds out quickly so you can track them as they soar over you.  I decided to label the landmarks on some photos that I took last month up there.

(click to enlarge)

The landmarks, from right to left (south to north):

• Owls Head (not pictured)

• The Pinnacle (not pictured) - both of these are along the ridge to your right as you look out in the direction shown in the photo above.

• Donat - A small hill in the middle of the valley south of the ridge

• 1 through 5 - Five different locations along the ridge, numbered from right to left.  The highest point on the ridge is 2.  Spotters may also refer to “slope of 1″ or “slope of 5″, meaning the hawk is on the slope of the ridge leading up to either landmark.

• Hunters Field - The first green field to the north of the ridge

• Left Hunters - The second green field, immediately to the left of Hunters Field

• Railroad Tracks - The rail line that runs at the base of the ridge.  These are not visible from all spots on the lookout so I’m not sure they use this landmark very often.

• New Ringgold (not pictured) -  The first town on the left, with a church in the center of it.

• Mckeansburg (not pictured) - The second town on the far left.