Before visiting the hawk watch, it is very important that visitors read the following important information:
Access to the parking lot at the Inn is now restricted by a locked gate on the road going up the hill from Rt 250. However, we do expect to allow visitors to the hawk watch during the day. Thus, during the hours when the hawk watch is open, the gate will be unlocked in the morning by the Counter to allow visitor access. To Enter: There will be a small chain linking the two halves of the gate together, but this should not be locked. To enter, please unwrap the small chain and swing open the right half of the gate, drive through, and then please close the gate behind you and loop the small chain back around the two halves. When the hawk watch ends for the day (as decided by the Counter), all visitors will be required to leave. The counter will exit last and lock the gate.
Before visiting, it is important that visitors check our online calendar for the status of the hawk watch on any particular day, which can be viewed here: https://teamup.com/ks8ce2f67675d2e336. This calendar indicates the days and times that Counters plan to be present (and thus when the hawk watch will be open). Our Counters will do their best to sign up early and accurately to indicate the times for when the hawk watch will be open, which will depend on weather and availability of counters. If no-one is signed up as Counter for a particular day, then the hawk watch will be closed and there will be no access (i.e. the gate will remain closed & locked). However, sometimes Counters aren’t able to commit to sign up until the day before a hawk count day (we are all just volunteers).
We do have a port-a-potty on sight for visitors through Nov 30, but there are no other amenities. Thus, be sure to bring some supplies for your visit such as: food, drink, a hat, sunscreen, a chair or blanket, and of course your binoculars. A spotting scope is also recommended for those distant raptors (and many of our raptors are distant).
We look forward to your visit this season! If you have questions contact us here: https://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org/contact-us/.