Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 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 5 88 328
Bald Eagle 3 38 124
Northern Harrier 1 16 37
Sharp-shinned Hawk 318 894 1484
Cooper's Hawk 23 114 201
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 6 7
Broad-winged Hawk 0 74 28784
Red-tailed Hawk 9 50 79
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 27 75 260
Merlin 3 8 18
Peregrine Falcon 0 7 25
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 2
Unknown Buteo 1 1 5
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 2 2
Total: 392 1374 31357
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Observation start time: 07:15:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 9.75 hours
Official Counter: Vic Laubach
Observers: Brenda Tekin, Gabriel Mapel, Rose Thomas
Visitors:
Few folks ventured up today-
Gabriel Mapel and dad; Josh Laubach, Rose Thomas contending with a cold
(hope you're feeling better soon!); Diane Lepkowski, Dan Nissen, Janet
Paisley, Penny Warren, Jo King, Dan Perkuchin
Weather:
Overall, a pleasant day, maybe a bit chilly in the shade. It was breezy
but building provided sufficient shelter from SW to WSW winds blowing
pretty much nonstop all day, 12-25 km/h; Temp:14c>16.8c; Humidity: 49%<40%;
Bar.Pressure-steady at 994; Bright blue sky with an occasional small white
wisps passing overhead. Clear visibility for unlimited viewing.
Raptor Observations:
Accipiters ruled today with a record-setting 318 Sharp-shins, the 5th
highest single day count since 1976. Most were ridge hopping, like a wild
roller coaster ride, as they manuevered against the brisk winds before
zipping across the gap. Osprey continue to move through adding to our
blockbusting season. A surprising number of Kestrels moved through, with
several small groups flying together, including one group of three, tying
with the 1986 season high of 260! Rounding out another triple-digit day
were three Bald Eagle - 1st year(11:02); adult(11:38); adult(2:45)
Non-raptor Observations:
Lincoln Sparrow may be the first documented record for the hawk watch.
First heard singing a lovely melody from bush a few feet away, it was
initially thought to be a winter wren. It emerged and for several minutes
it flew up to top of shrubs, sometimes breaking out in song.
Common Raven - at least 17 today, with one group of 7.
2 gull species; few Tree Swallows and Chimney Swifts.
Monarch Butterfly-62
Predictions:
more sunshine and new season record for American Kestrel!
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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
