Hawks Aloft

by Maurice Broun

Chronicles the founding of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the world's first refuge for birds of prey. This personal account by the Sanctuary's first curator shares the difficulties and discoveries he and his wife encountered during their first years on the mountain. Published in coordination with the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association.

Genres: Birds, History, Nonfiction, Nature

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1948

Reviews

[Tony Zitta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent to strong 7 - learned a hell of a lot when I thought I already knew this place. Came to respect the sanctuary even more and it’s humble beginnings. Shoutout to my 1930s PA Dutch homies too 🤙

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested in reading this book for a few reasons. I love hawks, my daughter went to Hawk Mountain, and Broun’s wife Irma lived in Eastham, MA where I live. This book did not disappoint and I loved reading it! Not only is it about saving hawks and other raptors but it is a testament to the importance of conservation over the whims of men.

One of the best quotes in the book was, “Our so called civilization, materialistic, insatiable, endlessly expanding, is constantly threatening wildlife and its environment, the very values to which man so frequently looks for regeneration of his spirit. “

Broun wrote this in 1934 and it still could apply to today. “Show me a birdlover who has not a deep rooted sense of humaneness. The concept of humaneness, as a basic part of one’s social attitudes, is what is needed so desperately for the youths of our land, if we are to guide them along the road to true conservation ideals, and practices.”

I especially related to this. “Living close to nature, participating in her mysteries, we are aware of God on every hand-embodied in the landscape and identified in the animals and birds, the trees and rocks, in clouds and sunshine, with all of which we identify ourselves humbly, but with deep contentment and peace. This, I think, is the essence of religion. And it is our life in winter on Hawk Mountain.”

[Evelyn de Chazal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this while training at Hawk Mountain, and loved the mix of science, history and storytelling. It also touches on the local culture and communities of the Kempton area, which are familiar to me so it was cool to learn what they were like back in the day.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read - a moving story about struggles of conservation and the evidence of its impact on the general public.

[Sarah Schaeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating account of the founding and earlier history of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. My head is swimming from all of the new info. I never realized how serious things actually were prior to the purchase of the mountain, with hunters killing around 300 birds of prey DAILY on the North Lookout alone. Imagine what that would have meant eventually if it went on.

Among many other things I previously did not know are these facts:
- The hunters of yore were motivated by propaganda put forward by gun and ammunition manufacturers, claiming (falsely) that the migratory hawks were a threat to domestic fowl in the immediate area.
- The initial efforts were made by just a few crazy passionate people who were put in a pretty vulnerable position physically turning away angry hunters on the remote mountain, without backup.
- Um, there was a NOTORIOUS SERIAL KILLER WHO LIVED JUST DOWN THE ROAD AT ONE TIME?
- Kittatinny Ridge is unique in that some boreal species are found there at the low, low end of their range.
- Waterfowl of all different kinds can be seen migrating over the mountain as well as birds of prey and passerines.
- Pennsylvania almost once lost its deer. Pennsylvania, with no deer. We had to import them from other states. That shook me.
- High or low counts at Hawk Mountain can't by themselves accurately describe population declines or booms. That's because the migrants split over several major "highways" or "bottlenecks" within the Atlantic Flyway, and data from other areas is needed to really assess numbers more accurately. Cape May is like the twin sister of Hawk Mountain for these purposes. Huh.

[Michael Stoudt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book my brother had in that he loved Hawk Mountain. I read this because after his passing, I wanted to learn more about Hawk Mountain than what I knew. I am glad I did! This book was written by the man who helped form the conservancy that is Hawk Mountain. I have learned so much more about the early days of the Mountain. It is a good read, recommended.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hawks Aloft brings the amazing true story of the fight for nature and the saving of essential ecosystem participants and conservation. Brings me back to the memories of my childhood and the memories I continue to make as an adult visiting the breathtaking beauty in my backyard. A wonderful telling and account of how Hawk Mountain Sanctuary came to be and is still thriving to this day.

[Brynn Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first two parts, but the third was a bit dull and repetitive. It could be summed up as he saw a lot of cool birds

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of essays, though there is a loose narrative. Illuminating to reflect back on the struggles of conservation around the early 1900s and how it has, and hasn't changed.

[Charles Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly the first book devoted to birding I have ever read, and it started me out on a high note.

[Cody Grim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many bird descriptions but I suppose I should’ve seen that coming. The stuff describing life in the 30s and 40s is cool but there isn’t nearly enough of it.

[John Walton Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Counting the days until Fall migration. Oh, to live the life of Maurice Broun.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the first half of the book and then it kind of dragged on with not very exciting stories detailing bird counts, etc.
The first half told about how Hawk Mountain went from a place where hundreds of hawks would be shot in a day to a sanctuary when some conservationists took control of the land.
It really is awesome to see what a difference can be made by only a few people. But skip the second half of the book unless you like bird watching tech talk.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, Hawks Aloft is a piece of local history. It's strange to compare the pictures of the lookouts from 50-60 years ago to today. They look almost identical!

I enjoyed this book immensely and recommend it to bird lovers or anyone else who has memories of Hawk Mountain.