Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 23, 2003
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
BV 0 0 0
TV 0 0 0
OS 1 1 1
BE 2 2 2
NH 0 0 0
SS 1 2 2
CH 0 1 1
NG 0 0 0
RS 0 0 0
BW 6 6 6
RT 2 2 2
RL 0 0 0
GE 0 0 0
AK 0 1 1
ML 0 0 0
PG 0 0 0
UA 0 0 0
UB 0 0 0
UF 0 0 0
UE 0 0 0
UR 0 0 0
Total: 12 15 15
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Observation start time: 09:30:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Brenda Tekin
Observers: Allen Larner, Gordy Adamski
Weather:
Wind: WNW, 29-38 km/h most of the day diminishing to 15-20 km/h.
Temp (High): 26.5C
Humidity: 61% dropping to 49%
Bar. Pressure: steady at 1010
Cloud Cover: Mostly cloudy clearing to no clouds by mid afternoon. With
passing of front, brisk wind cleared out the thick haze, producing almost
crystal clear sky.
Absolute gorgeous day after dark clouds passed through. Brisk, steady WNW
wind had a definite chill in the air.
Observations:
First full day and although not that many raptors, the variety was unusual
for so early in the season.
All were easily seen with unaided eye; all but the two adult Bald Eagles
flew S. The eagles headed WSW. First came through at 1:25 p.m. (EST);
second adult at 1:38 p.m.
Two pairs of BW came through. First pair were in no hurry, more often
observed diving on each other.
Special Note: Adult (or possibly sub-adult) Mississippi Kite was observed
approximately 2 miles west of the observation site along westbound I-64 at
exit 94 this morning at 10:10 a.m. I had made an early morning side trip
before heading to hawk watch and as I was driving down the entrance ramp
to eastbound I-64, I easily picked up the kite that was approximately eye
level across the interstate. It was actively feeding over the open field
adjacent to the interstate and in those few short seconds (which I somehow
managed to avoid an accident and running off the road), I was able to
observe it's diving and stalling, the long, belled-shaped, squared tail
that seemed to be working on separate controls, would twist one way and
body turn another. In one split second it "pulled-up" and stalled and
tail briefly flaired out, long enough to note the very pale underside,
small roundish pale head and an almost "muddy" colored tail.
Barn Swallow on the move with over 165 observed. Of interest, NO BARN
Swallow were observed earlier in the week. According to my records, the
area summer residents left at least one full week ahead of schedule!
Monarch Butterfly - 3
Saddlebag Dragonfly - many! along with many other unidentified ones. Need
to review "Dragonflies through Binoculars"
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Report submitted by Brenda Tekin (bt8x@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA information may be found at:
http://home.ntelos.net/~btkin/rockfish_gap_hawk_watch
***Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA - Established 1976***
The Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch is held on the grounds of the Inn at Afton, located
on the southern side of Rockfish Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just above
where I-64 (exit 99) intersects with the southern end of the Skyline Drive and
the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, just east of Waynesboro, VA and
approximately 22 miles west of Charlottesville, VA.
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