Candler Mountain
Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 25, 2008
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 1 28 28
Bald Eagle 0 5 5
Northern Harrier 0 1 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 29 29
Cooper's Hawk 0 4 4
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1
Broad-winged Hawk 15 12396 12396
Red-tailed Hawk 0 5 5
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 1 14 14
Merlin 0 2 2
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Accipiter 0 4 4
Unknown Buteo 0 1 1
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 18 12492 12492
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Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 11:15:00
Total observation time: 1.25 hours
Official Counter: Gene Sattler
Observers:
Weather:
Overcast with strong NE wind 15-20 mph as a weather system brings rain in
from the coast, with light rain beginning at 11:15 EST and abbreviating
what was hoped to be 2-3 hours of counting prior to the rain. Upper 50s.
Raptor Observations:
Twelve of the 15 Broadwings came through in pairs, mostly just to the north
of and also over the ridge, relatively low, kettling and streaming in the
strong tail wind.
Non-raptor Observations:
Monarch - 2
Blue Jay - 12
Access to the Bald Spot from the gravel parking lot on Candler Mountain
Road below the lookout is temporarily closed due to logging at the base of
the ridge. Access must be by parking at the Wingate Inn 0.2 miles below
and walking up around the logging operation. Those operations have
expanded this week so that some significant bushwacking is needed to skirt
it to reach the lookout.
Predictions:
Showers and wind forecast through Friday, with showers possible through a
good part of Saturday.
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Report submitted by Gene Sattler (edsattle@xxxxxxxxxxx)
Site Description:
Candler Mountain is located on the southeast edge of Lynchburg, VA, in
Virginia's Inner Piedmont. It is 45 miles SSE of Rockfish Gap and 32 miles
E of Harvey's Knob. The primary site is a bare knob known locally as the
"Bald Spot". It is part of a minor ridge that parallels the Blue Ridge
Parkway, which is 16 miles to the NW. The bare knob offers a 360 degree
view from an elevation of 1336 feet. The Candler Mountain count is in its
twelfth year, and is sponsored by the Liberty University Department of
Biology and the Lynchburg Bird Club. The count is currently conducted only
from early September to the end of the month because of a shortage of
counters.
For directions to the lookout visit "virtual birder.com" and take the
"Backgrounder" link. Next choose "Hawk Watch", then "Find A Watch", and
scroll down to Virginia, or contact me.
