Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 04, 2010
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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 6 7 27
Bald Eagle 0 0 13
Northern Harrier 0 1 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 2 18
Cooper's Hawk 0 1 5
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 9 30 82
Red-tailed Hawk 1 2 11
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 5 7 12
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 3
Total: 22 50 175
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Observation start time: 08:15:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 7.75 hours
Official Counter: Multiple Counters
Observers: Brenda Tekin, Rose Thomas
Visitors:
A few folks ventured to the mountaintop, braving the winds.
THey include Fred Bogar and wife (sorry I didn't jot down your name);
Allen Larner; John & Elizabeth Peakuchin, Elmer and Jennifer Gaden, and
Daniel Mapel and his son Gabriel, a very enthusiastic young man. We could
use a few more with such enthusiasm.
Weather:
After a full day sitting on top of the mountain, it was immediate relief
stepping into my vehicle after being beaten by the brisk west to NW winds
ranging 22-35km/h throughout the day with some stronger gusts that
certainly got our attention and at times drastically altering the flight
path of a small bird. With the arrival of the cold front, the stagnent air
was pushed out and we were able to see for miles, and miles, and miles.
Gorgeous! During the first few hours the counters sat on the east side of
the building but then were subject to the direct rays of the sun and
reflection bouncing back off the glass and up from the patio. It just
wasn't a win, win situation.
In the shade, there was a definte chill in the air, enough to warrant
light jackets. Temp: 22c climbing up to 25C by 11 a.m. EST, before a
gradual drop, down to 20c when a few clouds rolled in and then back up to
22c. Bar.Pressure: 1004 > 1005; A few small puffs here and there when
counters first arrived but then by 10 a.m. (EST) there was nothing but
bright blue skies. Increasing clouds rolling in, it helped in finding some
of the high sailing birds.
Raptor Observations:
Osprey contine to make a good showing this season, and we're optimistic
that this might be a record season. Now with the cooler weather, we're
hopeful for a few more birds in the next few days and weeks to come.
Non-raptor Observations:
Butterflies included Red-spotted Purple, Cabbage White, Great Spangled
Fritilary, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Sachem, and Monarch Butterfly (6);
Ruby-throated Hummingbird-25;
Several warbler species, all unidentifiable except for two Black-throated
Greens.
Predictions:
Sunny and cooler. (Please, a little less wind would be most appreciated.)
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Report submitted by Brenda Tekin (brenda@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA information may be found at:
http://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org
