The Gunsight Mountain Hawk Watch Weekend
The Harlan’s Hawk Capitol
of the World!
at MP 118.8 of the Glenn Highway: 10:00 AM
Our Annual Hawk Watch Weekend in collaboration with the Mat-Su Birders will take place this year on April 15 & 16th. It’s the Greatest Event of the Birding Year in Alaska!
Our Hawk Watch is known as “The Harlan’s Hawk Capital of the World” because you’ll see more Harlan’s Hawks here than anywhere else on Earth.
There is no ornithological tailgate party like this anywhere in the country, and this year we know of at least one birder who’s traveling all the way from Utah for the event.
Celebrate the return of spring migrating raptors with this annual Anchorage Audubon field trip of the spring. Migrating raptors that can be seen along the ridge line near MP 118.8 include Golden Eagle, Harlan’s Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Goshawk, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, and Merlin. Swainson’s Hawk and Osprey have also been seen migrating through this area as well as Swans, Lapland Longspurs, Snow Buntings, and the occasional Northern Hawk Owl. Bring warm clothing, binoculars, spotting scopes, lunch, snacks, and lawn chairs and sit back while you watch migrating raptors glide over the nearby ridge.

Generally great weather, albeit a little chilly sometimes – The dog doesn’t quite seem so enraptured by the passing raptors as is everyone else.
The Hawkwatch is a spectacle that is unrivaled in Alaska. It’s a great gathering, a fabulous party, and the birds are astounding. If you have never attended the Hawk Watch, you’ll never be the same. The scenery is gorgeous!

Hawk Watch Panorama taken from a 100 Megapixel image of the Chugach Mountains to the south of MP 118.8 of the Glenn Highway
Meet at 10:00 AM at the wayside at Milepost 118.8, Glenn Highway. A short raptor identification talk will take place at 10:30 AM. On Sunday, April 16, the Mat-Su Birders will host their annual Hawk Watch Potluck BBQ at the same location. For details on the Mat-Su Hawk Watch – www.matsubirders.org/html/calendar.html.
A special birder’s banquet will be hosted by the Sheep Mountain Lodge on Saturday night, and plans include a talk by the Professional Hawkwatchers from Hawkwatch International who once again will be conducting an entire-migration census of the site during March, April, and May. Rooms are available at The Lodge for those who want to stay on site for the entire Hawkwatching Weekend.
And once again, Anchorage Audubon and the Mat-Su Birders are honored to supply Port-A-Potties at the event for your Hawkwatching pleasure.
We’d Love to Have You Join Us.
Saturday & Sunday, April 15 & 16, 2017
MP 118.8 Glenn Highway