The Kings Mountain Herald | www.kmherald.com
Page 10
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Hawk Watch returns to Grandfather Mountain Being a mile high has its advantages. From atop Grandfather Mountain, visitors can grab a front-row seat to one of nature’s most stunning spectacles – thousands of raptors migrating over the mountains and heading south toward their wintering grounds. Guests can observe the raptors during the annual Hawk Watch, in which official counters note the number of passersby in the sky throughout the entire month of September. Raptors are birds of prey, such as hawks, eagles, owls and vultures. The telltale signs of the raptor are sharp talons, a hooked upper bill and keen eyesight. While some raptors remain in place during winter, most will travel south, where food is more abundant. Grandfather Mountain is a prime spot for viewing
A red-tailed hawk soars through the High Country sky. Throughout the entire month of September, visitors to Grandfather Mountain can observe red-tailed hawks and numerous other raptors, as they make their annual migration south. (photo by Judi Sawyer/Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation) this phenomenon, because it sits along the eastern escarpment of the Appalachian Mountains, and its rocky peaks generate strong thermal uplifts and allow prime visibility. Perhaps the most dramatic visual display comes courtesy of the broad-winged
hawk, which migrates in groups of hundreds or thousands, called kettles. Those sightings are most common around the second to third week of September. During 2015’s Hawk Watch, Grandfather Mountain president and executive director Jesse Pope spotted a
kettle of some 4,800 broadwings passing over in less than 30 minutes, along with numerous other kettles of considerable size, amounting to nearly 10,000 raptors in one day. Aside from offering a visual spectacle, Hawk Watch serves an important purpose. The annual counts from Grandfather Mountain and other locations help track hawk populations and migration routes over time and provide important data to inform land management decisions. In fact, Grandfather Mountain is one of more than 300 Hawk Watch sites officially designated by the Hawk Migration Association of North America. Counts will be conducted every day the weather permits – the hawks don’t typically fly in fog or storms – from an area inaccessible to the general public and will be
posted daily at HawkCount. org. Although visitors cannot participate in the official watch this year, due to safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re welcome and encouraged to witness the annual phenomenon, with prime viewing locations on Linville Peak (across the Mile High Swinging Bridge) and Half Moon Overlook (the first major overlook when entering the park). “It invokes that sense of wonder we always talk about at Grandfather Mountain,” Pope said. “It’s that time of year where you’re watching a majestic bald eagle soar over the mountain, and you can’t help but ask questions, like, ‘Where are they going?’ or ‘Why are they making this annual journey?’ It’s just an awe-inspiring time of year.” This helps demonstrate
why September is one of Pope’s favorite months on Grandfather Mountain. Along with migration, it’s a time when the mountain sees a kettle’s worth of seasonal changes. “September is a very transformative month on Grandfather Mountain, where we go from the flora and fauna of summer to those of autumn,” he said. “You don’t know what you might see on any given day.” The not-for-profit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, call (800) 468-7325, or plan a trip at www.grandfather.com. For now, tickets are only being sold online at www. grandfather.com.
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BEACH HOUSE FOR SALE! Ocean Lakes Family Campground. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths in a Great Section (5000 section). 5238 East Sandlapper Drive. New Roof! Recently Painted & New Carpet! Covered Porch. Includes All Furniture, TVs, Appliances and Golf Cart. $120,000. Contact 704-692-0802. Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
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TWO RESTRICTED MOUNTAIN VIEW LOTS in gated community, near Lake Lure. Owner financing available, 0% financing for a limited time. Also, 78 Acre Riverfront Horse Farm, 5 miles from TIEC. 864909-1035, www.rowelland.com
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2&3 BEDROOM TOWNHOMES. Applications are being processed right now! Rent is based on income (and even some expenses). Call or visit today Laurel Hill Apartments. Equal housing opportunity. Shelby, NC 28152 (704) 487-1114 laurelhill@darbydevelopment.com LIONS SENIOR VILLAGE has 1 bedroom HUD subsidized apartments for low income seniors. Taking applications. Age 62 or older. Equal Housing Opportunity. 211 North Morgan Street, Shelby, NC 28150 (704) 482-7723 MOBILE HOMES & APARTMENTS. In Kings Mountain. Price starting at $100 per week. Call (704) 739-4417 HICKORY CREEK APARTMENTS FOR SENIORS. (62 and older), disabled (50 and older). Shelby. Now taking applications for waiting list. EHO. 418 East Warren Street, Shelby, NC 28150 (704) 487-6354 2 HOUSES IN KINGS MOUNTAIN. For rent, (1) 3 bedroom and (1) 2 bedroom. 704-418-3790, 704-718-2653.
RUTHERFORD COUNTY IMMEDIATE OPENING: 1 & 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS. CREEKSIDE CROSSING APTS in Spindale, a great place to live with neighborhood feel and common areas. Designed for the elderly (55 or older) or persons with disabilities (age 45 or older). We are accepting applications for 1 & 2BR units. Spacious floor plans, dishwasher, laundry room. Section 8 welcome. Accessible units designed for persons with disabilities subject to availability. $25 application fee, credit/criminal ck required. Visit us M-Th by appointment from 9am– 2pm at 358 West Street or call 828-288-3738 for more info. Equal Housing Opportunity. Professionally managed by Partnership Property Management, an equal opportunity provider and employer. 2 & 3 BEDROOM MOBILE HOMES. Small private park between Spindale and Forest City. Starting at $500 per month. 828382-0475. 2BR, 1BA MH, FOREST CITY. Newly remodeled, stove & fridge furnished. $600 month, $600 deposit. No pets. Quiet mobile home park. 828-245-9620.
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