Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 21, 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 3 102 342
Bald Eagle 2 47 133
Northern Harrier 0 22 43
Sharp-shinned Hawk 114 1410 2000
Cooper's Hawk 7 183 270
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 6 7
Broad-winged Hawk 2 80 28790
Red-tailed Hawk 6 76 105
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 6 100 285
Merlin 1 12 22
Peregrine Falcon 0 8 26
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 2
Unknown Buteo 0 1 5
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 3 3
Total: 141 2051 32034
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Observation start time: 08:45:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 6.25 hours
Official Counter: Multiple Counters
Observers: Pete Nebel, Rose Thomas, Vic Laubach
Visitors:
Gerard Thessien (arrived early at the watch), Janet Paisley, Marshall
Faintich
Weather:
Light winds from WNW throughout the day. Partly cloudy in the morning
becoming mostly cloudy by 2pm. Temp. 11.7-16.5C. Clear visibility and
46-54% humidity.
Raptor Observations:
Another fine fall day of raptor migration! Sharp-shinned Hawks were moving,
mostly rising quickly upon reaching the ridge and crossing the gap high up.
Not so many Cooper's Hawks.
With the single Merlin today, we're now one shy of the season record of 23
set in 2003. Maybe we'll tie or surpass it this weekend!
Two Bald Eagles: 9:48am adult and 1:45pm juvenile (3rd yr).
Kestrels and Osprey continue to fly.
Non-raptor Observations:
A good number of Tree Swallows observed.
Pileated Woodpecker.
4 Ravens.
DC Cormorant.
34 Monarchs.
Predictions:
Sunshine and some clouds. High around 60F. Winds light and variable. 10%
chance of precipitation. Let's all cross our fingers for 2 more Merlins!
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Report submitted by Vic Laubach (laubach@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA information may be found at:
http://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org
