Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 26, 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 0 129 149
Bald Eagle 0 75 88
Northern Harrier 0 30 32
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 672 688
Cooper's Hawk 0 53 57
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 2
Broad-winged Hawk 0 32292 32344
Red-tailed Hawk 0 39 48
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 4 143 148
Merlin 0 4 4
Peregrine Falcon 0 6 6
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 2
Unknown Buteo 0 4 4
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 6 9
Total: 10 33457 33582
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 10:15:00
Total observation time: 2.25 hours
Official Counter: Multiple Counters
Observers: Brenda Tekin, Rose Thomas
Visitors:
Dave Shoch of C'ville
Weather:
RAIN, GLORIOUS RAIN!
Although initial forecast predicted rain moving into the region later in
the day, increasing cloud cover rolled in overnight producing light rain
showers by sunrise. Completely overcast, low, misty clouds from the west
to NW began moving over the gap by 9:45 a.m. EST and a light steady rain
was falling by 10 a.m.
Temp: 17.5c dropping to 17c; humidity: 75%<72%; Bar.Pressure: 1011.
Raptor Observations:
We were hopeful the rain would hold off at least until this afternoon as we
were optistimic there would be a nice flight of sharp-shins and kestrels.
A few managed to take to the air before the rains.
Non-raptor Observations:
With the light rain and low clouds passing over, small birds began popping
up all around. Dave Shoch honed in on a tree on other side of the pool and
it was chock full of warblers and other goodies! Rose Thomas grabbed up
her lightweight HD spotting scope and we managed to pick out 10 different
species of birds flitting around in that one tree actively feeding.
Yellow Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Green
Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Northern Parula, quite a few
Palm Warblers, several Ruby-crowned Kinglets and satisfying views of a
Philadelphia Vireo.
Predictions:
Hopefully lots of rain!
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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