Harvey's Knob
Roanoke, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 15, 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 7 37 46
Bald Eagle 7 20 27
Northern Harrier 1 9 10
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 20 44
Cooper's Hawk 2 8 13
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 3 3
Broad-winged Hawk 497 581 588
Red-tailed Hawk 0 14 28
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 6 14 18
Merlin 0 4 4
Peregrine Falcon 2 2 2
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 2 4 4
Total: 528 717 788
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 18:00:00
Total observation time: 10 hours
Official Counter: Mike Purdy
Observers: Baron Gibson, Barry Kinzie, Bill James, Dillard Childress,
Jim Hylton, Katie James, Tina Gibson
Visitors:
Ranger Kathy spent part of her day-off with us - spotted several high
flying hawks. Thanks, Kathy!
Weather:
A very pleasant day, light breeze out of the NW, partly cloudy, temps. in
the 70s.
Raptor Observations:
A nice Broadwing flight, plus 7 Bald Eagles and 2 Peregrines. A few local
Redtails were observed but none recorded as migrants. Both vultures seen
throughout the day. A Barred Owl called several times in the late afternoon
making the total number of raptor species recorded for the day - 12! And,
as often happens, a Northern Harrier was the last bird of the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
Several Ravens entertained us with their antics and vocalizations. A few
migrating swifts observed, plus a few Monarch butterflies were seen passing
the overlook.
Predictions:
The weather forecast is kind of iffy for a hawk flight, 50% chance of rain,
low clouds, which could cause Harveys Knob to be socked in. May be a good
day to bird the valleys.
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Report submitted by Mike Purdy (MikeLPurdy@xxxxxxx)
Harvey's Knob Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://bijame.googlepages.com/home