The Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch (FMHW) was established by DOAS in 1989 as an annual raptor migration data research site. Located at the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Sanctuary overlooking Oneonta, NY, the site is particularly noted for late fall season flights of Red-tailed Hawks and Golden Eagles. Our location on Franklin Mountain allows for 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.
The Hawkwatch has operated as an all volunteer effort since it was established in 1989.
We will be shifting to a new model with a paid counter for the fall season, assisted by volunteers. This will help us provide full coverage for the entire migration season and continue the program into the future.
Data from the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch is submitted to the Hawk Migration Association (HMA), which compiles numbers from similar hawk counts across the continents.
Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch daily data is available at the Hawkcount website, along with that of many other North American hawkwatches.
Click Here for the FMHW 30 Year Report from HMA (1989-2019).
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
The Franklin Mountain Hawk Watch needs volunteer hawk counters. If you have an interest in learning raptor identification, we can help you develop those skills. We will also teach you how to determine if a bird is migrating.
This season we have scheduled 3 ID workshops for beginners at different times in the migration.
You need to register for the Monday workshops. If you have an interest, please contact Tom Salo at salothomas@gmail.com.
Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society
P.O. Box 544
Oneonta, NY 13820
(607) 397-3815
info@doas.us
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