New single day Golden Eagle record set for Cumberland Gap Hawk Watch

Hundreds of Golden Eagles fly right by Cumberland MD

I had an unexpected great Golden Eagle day on Thurday, Nov. 7th.  The forcast was calling for winds from the NW (which isn't a favorable wind for raptor migration in our area).  On top of that there was rain during the morning hours (another factor which usually isn't favorable).  Despite the forcast, I decided to make the drive down since the afternoon was supposed to clear.  On Tuesday and Wednesday the winds were from the proper direction (ESE), just not hard enough to send the birds down Wills Mountain and over Cumberland Gap.  The birds did however move down The Allegheny Front where the winds were blowing a very favorable 12 or so mph out of the East.  Over 100 Golden Eagles flew down the Front over the course of several days.  Then with Allegheny Front socked in bad weather and a bunch of Eagles in the "pipeline" it seems the birds decided to keep moving down Wills Mountain where the weather was clearer and  continued movement.  We set a new one day record of 27 Golden Eagles migrating past Cumberland Gap.
Counters will be at the watch site all weekend long.  Stop up and see the Golden Eagles fly by.

The GOEA's labored by on the slow winds

The Turkey Vultures were out in full force right off the cliff

Black Vultures flying over the Cumberland Gap

A cloud that looked like a feather...