Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 11, 2011
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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 0 0 347
Bald Eagle 0 14 165
Northern Harrier 0 8 61
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 75 2320
Cooper's Hawk 0 9 306
Northern Goshawk 0 0 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 35 47
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 28790
Red-tailed Hawk 5 288 470
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 3 5
American Kestrel 0 1 294
Merlin 0 1 26
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 27
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 3
Unknown Buteo 0 0 5
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 1 2 6
Total: 6 436 32874
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Observation start time: 11:00:00
Observation end time: 14:30:00
Total observation time: 3.5 hours
Official Counter: Diane Lepkowski
Observers:
Weather:
BLUSTERY!!! W changing to NW winds were really clocking today, 15-20 mph,
with gusts to at least 40mph! Partly cloudy for most of the morning, the
broken clouds dissapated somewhat by 2pm. Very chilly, 7.3c>7.8c then
dropping down to 6.0c; Bar.Pressure: 99.7>99.8; Low humidity: 42.9%;
Raptor Observations:
A small number of Red-tails moved through. Lots of vultures being tossed
about by the strong winds. One northern harrier spotted over ridge to the
north but not migrating and not included in the day's count. A very
distant bird, quite possibly an eagle, but distance and wind proved
difficult challenges to id.
Non-raptor Observations:
A Big THANK YOU to Diane Lepkowski who accepted the call for a counter to
cover the day. Faced with bone-chilling temps and blustery N - NW winds,
she persevered on her first official day flying solo. We had hoped her
efforts would have been rewarded with a few more birds and even a Golden
Eagle. Hopefully next time, Diane!
Only other interesting sighting were three bright blue helicopters.
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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
