Species: Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Number of Individuals observed: 1
Date of Sighting: 10/15/2019
County : Mifflin
Location : Stone Mountain Hawkwatch, Allensville, Menno Township
GPS Coordinates: 40.57178, -77.82636
Observer(s): Greg Grove
Date of Submission: 11/2/2019
Submitted by: Greg Grove
Written Description: Yes Photo: No Specimen: no Recording: no
Species: Swainson’s Hawk
Number of Individuals observed: 1
Date of Sighting: 10/25/2017
County : Philadelphia
Location : 100 Spring Lane, Philadelphia; Manatawna Farms, Hagy’s Mill Rd
GPS Coordinates: 40.0605, -75.2561
Observer(s): Anthony Croasdale, Dan Efroymson
Date of Submission: 10/30/2017, 11/3/2017
Submitted by: Anthony Croasdale, Dan Efroymson
Written Description: Yes Photo: No Specimen: no Recording: no
Species: Swainson’s Hawk
Number of Individuals: 1
Date of Sighting: 11/06/2016
County : Montgomery
Location : Militia Hill Hawkwatch Deck, Fort Washington State Park
GPS Coordinates: 40.120456, -75.222264
Observer(s): Andrew Fayer, Judd Friedman
Date of Submission: 11/7/2016
Submitted by: Andrew Fayer
Written Description: Yes Photo: No Specimen: No Recording: No
Species: Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
Number of Individuals: 1
Date of Sighting: 10/23/2015
County : Montgomery
Location : Militia Hill Hawk Watch
GPS Coordinates:
Observer(s): Peter Burns and Andy Fayer
Date of Submission: 1/11/2016
Submitted by: Andy Fayer
Written Description: Yes Photo: No Specimen: No Recording: No
Species: Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsonii)
Number of Individuals: 1
Date of Sighting: 10/4/2015
County : Schuylkill
Location : Hawk Mountain Sanctuary – North Lookout
GPS Coordinates: 40.641683, -75.991509
Observer(s): Pablo Santoja, David Barber
Date of Submission: 10/6/2015
Submitted by: David Barber
Written Description: Yes Photo: No Specimen: No Recording: No
Species: Swainson’s Hawk
Number of Individuals observed: 1
Date of Sighting: 5/2/2015
County : Lebanon
Location : Patton Rd, North Londonderry Township
GPS Coordinates: 40.3512, -76.60805
Observer(s): Brian Newhouse
Date of Submission: 2/26/2017
Submitted by: Brian Newhouse
Written Description: Yes Photo: Yes Specimen: no Recording: no
Species: Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni
Number of Individuals observed: 1
Date of Sighting: 10-17-2012
County : Franklin
Location : Tuscorora Mountain near Fannett, PA, not near road
GPS Coordinates: not available
Observer(s): Randy Flament
Date of Submission: 3-28-2014
Submitted by: Submitted by Michael Lanzone for Randy Flament
Written Description: yes Photo: x 3 Specimen: no Recording: no
First Round
Species: Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni
Date of Sighting: 9-11-2012
County : Montgomery Location : Militia Hill Hawk Watch
GPS coordinates of sighting: N 40.1205, W 75.2226
Observer(s): Chris Dooley, Rich Conroy
Date of Submission: 9-12-2012
Submitted by: Andy Fayer, Site Coordinator, Militia Hill Hawk Watch
Written Description: YES Photo: NO Specimen: NO Recording: NO
After two rounds of voting, several members were still of the opinion that the record was probably correct, but not beyond reasonable doubt.
Species: Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni
Date of Sighting: 26 September 2011 to 26 September 2011
County : BERKS
Location : HAWK MOUNTAIN
Observer(s): Arlene Koch, Rudy Keller
Date of Submission: 2012
Submitted by: Arlene Koch
Written Description: Yes Photo: No Specimen: No Recording: No
Species: Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni
Date of Sighting: 20 April 2003
County : CENTRE
Location : TUSSEY MOUNTAIN HAWKWATCH 40.7108 N, 77.9047 W
Observer(s): Mike Lanzone et al
Date of Submission: 2011
Submitted by: Ben Coulter
Written Description: added for 2nd round Photo: Yes Specimen: No Recording: No
Notes from the observers
Location- Tussey Mountain Hawkwatch Centre/Huntingdon Counties
Observers- Mike Lanzone, Dan Ombalski, Trish Miller, et.al.
I first spotted this bird in a glide with several Broad-winged Hawks during the afternoon approximately 3pm. It was gliding off a thermal and was easily identified at that time as a Swainson’s Hawk, with its slightly bowed wings and characteristic shape. It glided to the east of us and started to thermal up on just east side of the watch providing nice views. This bird was far, but easily identifiable binoculars and scope as an adult light morph. The birds dark flight feathers contrasted with the lighter under-wing, chocolaty breast. Its characteristic long narrow wings, straight leading edge, narrow hands and secondary bulge (which gives SWHAs their diagnostic shape) were all visible. The picture provided was taken with a 300mm lens and is scaled at 100% due to the distance, however was a little fuzzy, however all field marks are clearly visible and not cannot be confused with any other species. I have a lot of experience with Swainson’s Hawk, having observed over 3 million, some of which when I was a counter in Veracruz, MX.
Mike Lanzone
Below are the comments submitted during the first round of voting. We have opened the comments so you can discuss your thoughts with the other committee members before your second round of voting.
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