The Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory, a partnership between the Harris Center for Conservation Education and NH Audubon located within Miller State Park in Peterborough, returns for its 15th consecutive season of raptor migration monitoring and education.
As one of the premier locations in New England for watching fall-migrating hawks, the Observatory contributes to a long-term, international data collection effort and reaches thousands of people annually through both casual and formal learning opportunities.
The Harris Center has hired two seasonal employees to staff the Observatory in 2019: Phil Brown will serve as Hawk Watch Coordinator, as he has for many years, and Levi Burford will be the onsite Raptor Biologist five days per week. Levi is an avid raptor enthusiast and has volunteered at the Hawk Watch for the past two seasons. Knowledgeable volunteers will staff the Observatory on Levi’s days off. Weather permitting, the Observatory will be open every day between Sept. 1 and Nov. 15.
As always, the Observatory will celebrate several special events this autumn, including the much-heralded Raptor Release Day to be held on Sept. 22. International Hawk Migration Week (Sept. 14-22), the Big Sit birding event (Oct. 12), and a number of raptor-themed talks and outings are also planned. In addition, Harris Center staff and volunteers will make special efforts to provide educational programming to visiting school groups and the general public, enhancing the experience of visitors to the Observatory.
For more information and a detailed schedule of Observatory happenings, visit harriscenter.org/pack-monadnock-raptor-observatory.
Thanks to the many volunteers, supporters, and partners of this project — especially NH State Parks and the NH Department of Natural & Cultural Resources — the Observatory is a spectacular outdoor classroom for all to enjoy. See you on the mountain!
Visiting the Pack Monadnock Raptor Observatory:
Weather permitting, the Observatory will be staffed every day from Sept. 1 through Nov. 15. Peak hawk migration runs from mid-September through mid-Oct., but early- and late-season spectacles can be found, as well. Visitors are most welcome!
The Observatory is located at an overlook 0.2 mile from the small parking lot at the summit of Pack Monadnock. (Plan ahead, as this lot often fills early on weekends in September and October.) Visitors can also park in the large lot at the base of the mountain, and hike to the summit via the Auto Road (1.3 miles one-way), the Marion Davis Trail (1.4 miles one-way), or the Wapack Trail (approx. 1.6 miles one-way).
There is no fee to visit the Observatory, but there is a fee to enter Miller State Park: $4 per adult and $2 for children age 6 to 11. Children age 5 and under, and NH residents 65 and older, are free. For more information on entrance fees, trails, and other details, please visit the Miller State Park website.
The trail from the summit parking area to the Observatory is 0.2 miles long and ADA-accessible.
The Observatory is open to the public, but reservations are required for large groups. If you’d like to bring a group to the Hawk Watch, please contact Miller State Park (603-924-3672) in advance to avoid scheduling conflicts. The earlier, the better!
The Harris Center for Conservation Education – a donor-supported, non-profit organization established in 1970 – promotes understanding and respect for the natural world through education of all ages, direct protection and exemplary stewardship of the region’s natural resources, conservation research, and programs that encourage active participation in the great outdoors.