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LEWISTOWN -- It'll be easy to spot Cindy Bickel of Belleville come Sept. 1 as she'll have her eyes glued to the skies over Mifflin County.
As a member of the Jacks Mountain Hawk Watch, Bickel spends hours at the scenic overlook along Jacks Mountain between McVeytown and Belleville, scanning the skies for soaring raptors through her binoculars.
She spends hours at the overlook, especially during the annual fall migration, which starts Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
"Unlike other types of bird watching where you run from place to place trying to locate a new or interesting bird that has been seen by others, we pull up a lawn chair, pack a few snacks, dress for the weather, strap on our binoculars or cameras and let the birds come to us," said Bickel, whose mother Gloria was an early member of the JMHW. "When there is not much to see, we pass the time talking to visitors, getting to know other observers, telling bird stories and sometimes debating what just flew by."
She will take time out from her perch long enough to speak to the Towpath Naturalist Society of Juniata and Mifflin Counties at its meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the St. John's Lutheran Church, 120 N. Main St., Lewistown. Attendees are encouraged to use the rear entrance. Bickel's presentation is called "Hawks in Flight."
"My presentation will center around identifying the flight of seven common migrants we observe each at Jacks," said Bickel, who also belongs to the Towpath. "These include American Kestrels, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles."
Bickel will share how she uses field marks, flight patterns and silhouettes to identify a bird high in the sky as well as general information about how migrators travel hundreds of miles along ridge tops on thermal updrafts of air.
"I got involved with the Jacks Mountain Hawk Watch though my mother, Gloria Bickel," Bickel explained. "She was an early observer on the mountain along with Ron Singer and others. This will be our 30th year as a HMANA (Hawk Migration Association of North America) official watch site."
The JMHW is a group of volunteers, trained observers who identify and record raptors passing overhead during the seasonal migration. With easy drive-up access to the overlook, the watch is a wonderful place for the young and the young at-heart to observe firsthand the natural beauty of the Juniata Valley, while joining the hunt for soaring birds headed south to warmer climates for the winter.
Judy Metzger, membership chair and treasurer for the Towpath Naturalist, is thrilled to have someone as passionate as Bickel to speak at the meeting.
"If you are at all interested in nature, our group is the perfect place to encounter like-minded people," Metzger said. "Our focus is learning and sharing knowledge about nature.
"We concentrate on Mifflin and Juniata counties; both are rural with lots of opportunities for nature enthusiasts," she added. "Some have the impression that we are only 'bird watchers.' We do discuss birding spots and sightings, but also cover many other nature-related subjects."
Bird watching is rewarding to Bickel on many levels. She and her mother became much closer due to the time they spent together at the overlook. She has also formed many lasting, life-long friendships with others.
Last year, the JMHW recorded more than 10,000 raptors flying through Mifflin County, a new record.
"I am in no way an expert in this field but have been on the mountain enough to give a basic introduction to the wonders of watching hawks migrate," Bickel said.
The "Golden Eagle Project" is the topic for the Towpath Naturalists' meeting on Oct. 10, with speaker Steven Shaffer, a ranger at Tuscarora State Forest in Blain, Perry County.
On Nov. 14, Mindy Wilt, environmental education specialist at Little Buffalo State Park in Newport, will speak on "Invasive Species."
The Towpath Naturalists always welcome new members. Annual dues are $10.
For more information, call (717) 248-0883. The Towpath Naturalists are also working to create a Facebook page.