The Bethany Hawkwatch will kick off a special week of raptor migration counting in observance of the Hawk Migration Association of North America’s (HMANA) International Hawk Migration Week (IHMW). The purpose of IHMW is to raise awareness of hawks, hawk migration, and the HMANA network of sites that count hawks. IHMW will take place September 19-27, 2015. This is the week when peak numbers of raptors are counted across North America.

The public is invited to the Bethany Lutheran College campus in front of the Marvin G. Meyer Hall of Science and Mathematics on Saturday, September 19, 2015, beginning at 9:30 a.m. to observe and participate in raptor identification and counting. Free parking is available throughout the campus in all lots.

According to HMANA, each year hundreds of thousands of hawks, eagles, and vultures make their journey from Canada and the United States to wintering areas as far south as South America. Dedicated counters at hawk watch sites begin documenting this movement as early as August and operate their sites daily into December. Bethany’s site has been actively counting raptors for seven years.

In 2014, volunteers at the Bethany Hawkwatch observed 4,702 raptors representing 18 species from August 15th to December 15th. This year’s count is underway and community members are welcome to visit or serve as volunteers. For more information about the event or becoming involved with Bethany Hawkwatch, you may contact the Meyer Hall offices at 507-344-7736.

For more information about Bethany’s Hawkwatch program, visit the Bethany website at www.carolinainternationalschool.org/field-biology. For more information about HMANA please visit their site at www.hmana.org.