Mt. Tom State Reservation, Holyoke, in anticipation of the fall hawk migration. This Saturday there will be many people there. “Hawk events” are planned so we jumped the gun and, as it turned out, were the only ones on the trail today! We went off trail to see yet another NE and MA champion tree – a majestic hemlock, 15′ diameter…The upward climb took us past marvelous basalt outcroppings. Basalt dominated the day! After a good climb, we came to Goats Peak, the “place to be” at hawk migration time. At last we saw a kettle (hawks riding the air currants) of about 15 hawks, then climbed the tower where we found ornithologists who’d been there for several hours. They shared their vast knowledge with us amateurs and had us look through their powerful scope, a far better view than our binoculars afforded. I have to say that is was thrilling to see the hawks break out of the kettle and and then head straight and fast away for the start of the next part of their journey.Just when we needed to leave as one of us had a meeting to get to, one of the ornithologists spied about 100 hawks approaching but far off. The hike back down was fun, as always. Gwen B led us to a rather hidden picnic table on the lake where we enjoyed bag lunches and each others company. Until next week, XO Penny
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