Protecting our Environment...Connecting People with Nature...For Birds & Wildlife

Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS)

Established in 1968 – A Chapter of the National Audubon Society since 1970

Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch

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The Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch, located on the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Sanctuary overlooking Oneonta, NY, is particularly noted for late fall season flights of Red-tailed Hawks and Golden Eagles. Franklin Mt. provides a panoramic view of the Susquehanna River valley and surrounding hills of Otsego and Delaware Counties. In addition to the hawkwatch, the Audubon Sanctuary provides marked hiking trails through a variety of habitats.

Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch Data

Data from the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch is submitted to the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA), which compiles numbers from similar hawk counts across the continent.

Franklin Mt. Hawkwatch daily data is available at the Hawkcount website, along with that of many other North American hawkwatches.

Click Here for 30 Year Report from HMANA.

DIRECTIONS to Franklin Mtn. Hawkwatch

The Hawkwatch is located at the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Sanctuary, 52 Grange Hall Rd. Spur (marked on signage as “Bird Road”), Oneonta, NY, overlooking Oneonta from the south.

NOTE: PLEASE DON’T RELY ON PHONE DIRECTIONS AS THEY OFTEN TAKE YOU ON AN INDIRECT ROUTE.

From I-88 eastbound

Take Exit 14. Turn right after the exit, go straight at the light, crossing Rte. 28. Immediately turn left at the T onto Southside Dr. Turn right on Swart Hollow Rd. (0.8 mi.). Go 1.5 mi. and take a sharp right turn onto Grange Hall Rd. Take sharp left turn into the driveway (0.2 mi.) (marked with ‘Bird Road’ sign) and park on the LEFT side. Walk up to the barn, where a map and information are posted.

From I-88 westbound

Take Exit 15. Turn left at the bottom of the ramp, right at the light by McDonalds and go to the 4th stop light (0.7 mi.). Turn left at this light and follow the directions above from the Southside Dr. T.

From Rte. 17 westbound

Take Exit 94 (Roscoe), then Rte. 206 north to Walton (20 mi.), then Co. Rte. 21 to Rte. 357 (12 mi.). Turn right on Rte. 357 to Rte. 28 (8 mi.). Take Rte. 28 south for 1/4 mi. to a crossroads with a small church on the right. Turn left onto Grange Hall Rd. for about 3 mi. to a point where it takes a 90 degree right turn. A short distance on the right is the driveway noted above (marked with ‘Bird Road’ sign).

From the NYS Thruway at Kingston

Take Rte. 28 north through Delhi, (70 mi.) About 15 miles beyond Delhi, look for a crossroads with a small church on the left. The right turn is Grange Hall Rd. Follow directions as above.

Click Here for Map

For COVID safety, do not approach within 6′ of the day’s counter and spotter. Do not enter their area without permission. This includes the smaller picnic table and everything to the north and northwest. The counter may choose to cordon off this area. Visitors should spread out and respect each other’s space. Thank you for your cooperation.

Anyone interested in receiving alerts for anticipated good raptor flights at Franklin Mountain can sign up for Hawkcast, our email early warning system. Alerts go out a day or two before expected good days – approximately once a week through the fall.

Please note: Good flights often occur on days when the wind blows from the north, especially following periods of rain and the passing of a cold front. Hawk and eagle flights are affected by weather to an extreme degree. Our forecasts are dependent on accurate weather forecasts. Since weather forecasts can change, anyone intending to visit the watch should read an updated weather forecast before traveling.

To join Hawkcast, complete and submit the form below. You will need to confirm your subscription via a message to your email.

To join our Hawkcast email list, complete and submit the form below. You will need to confirm your subscription via a message to your email.

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We envision a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected.
The mission of Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is to protect our natural environment and connect people with nature
 to benefit birds and other wildlife through conservation, education, research and advocacy.
 

Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society
P.O. Box 544
Oneonta, NY 13820
(607) 397-3815
info@doas.us

© 1968-2024 Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society

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