Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: Providing Protection for Raptors

In 1934, Rosalie Edge planted the seeds of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary when she leased 1,400 acres of Hawk Mountain property and hired wardens to prevent hunters from shooting at the raptors. Today, the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association is a non-profit organization based in Pennsylvania; Edge purchased and passed on the deed to the sanctuary’s association in perpetuity.

The wild bird sanctuary spans East Brunswick Township and Albany Township in eastern Pennsylvania with stretches located along the Appalachian flyway. Due to its prime location, the sanctuary is among the perfect locations for viewings of migrating raptors and kettling. Every year during the late summer and fall, an average of 20,000 eagles, hawks and falcons pass by the lookouts – truly, a magnificent sight that makes the trip worthwhile.

The passing birds are then identified and counted by volunteers and staff of the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. The resulting annual counts are considered as the world’s longest-kept records of raptor populations, which have provided conservationists with useful information essential in their conservation efforts.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary also holds a unique place in history. It is the oldest wildlife sanctuary of the world with an exclusive focus on the observation and protection of birds of prey. It is also neither owned not financially supported by the government, thanks to its self-sufficiency.

Aside from its status as a National Natural Landmark status, the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary also hosts a few notable attractions. These include Schaumboch's Tavern, which is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, and John Denver’s bench on the South Lookout.

The sanctuary also has the Acopian Center for Conservation Learning, a place where students from all over the world come to learn about biology, environmental science, and ornithology, among related fields, usually in work-study internships. The center was named in honor of the sanctuary’s most generous benefactor, Sarkis Acopian.