There has not been a respite from the heat this summer - we’ve reportedly had more than 20 days of 90-degree temperature this summer.

Even this past week, with fall around the corner, saw high humidity and temperatures around 90.

But birds, for the most part, get their migration clues from the lengthening or shortening daylight.

Hawk migration lookouts at Hawk Mountain and Bake Oven Knob began their hawk counts on Aug. 15.

I was one of the official counters at Bake Oven Knob when it began in September, 1976, and did that regularly on weekends until 1984.

After that I would climb to the “rocks” and assist the official counter. My eyesight is not what it used to be and neither are my knees, but I still can’t wait until September when the skies become filled with migrating raptors.

I know from experience, and by checking yearly published data, that by time you read this column the southward migration of broad-winged hawks will have begun.

Last year at Bake Oven Knob an average of 26 broad-winged hawks a day were recorded between Sept. 3 and Sept. 10. Decades of records show that by mid-September that pace jumps quickly. Last year from Sept. 11 to Sept. 20 more 5,900 “broadies” were counted as they passed over the rocks of Bake Oven - an average of 590 per day.

So, if you have strong legs, and can find a few hours, you may want to drive to the top of the Blue Mountain, get on the well-marked Appalachian Trail and take about a 25 minute walk to the east where the counters and other birders are gathered to watch the spectacle.

But, if like me, your knees aren’t that great, you can sit on your truck tailgate or a folding chair in the game lands parking lot. Since broad-winged hawks don’t necessarily hug the ridge tops, you won’t miss many birds as you sit in comfort.

Some tips: Since broad-winged hawks prefer to expend less energy, their migrations don’t usually start until the sun heats the surrounding woodlands and creates thermals. Few “broadies” migrate earlier than about 8:30 or 9 o’clock in the morning. Those thermals can be a curse too. If everything heats up quickly, and you have very few clouds in the sky, the hawks can climb so high that they can appear to be pepper specks. I like to pick partly cloudy days, often the day or two after a cold front or storm has passed. I once drove across a flooded Lizard Creek, got up to trail while the trees were still dripping wet after the remnants of a tropical storm drenched the area the preceding day. The skies cleared about noon and the birds just poured through.

Even though broad-winged hawks may dominate the skies in mid-September, it is also a peak time for ospreys and bald eagles to migrate. You might observe 15 ospreys or possibly a dozen or more bald eagles. Also look for migrating monarch butterflies and even hummingbirds.

If you get chance to observe this predictable, exciting migration event I’m sure nature won’t disappoint you. (Take German’s Road off Route 895 to Bake Oven Road. The road is not paved so be alert for ruts)

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: After a worker bee collects pollen and nectar, it flies the shortest route back to the hive. This is called a ________.

Last Week’s Trivia Answer: It is true, the stinger of a worker honeybee is barbed and will break off in you resulting in the worker’s demise.