Snickers Gap
20 Miles West of Leesburg, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 15, 2012
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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 1 3 3
Bald Eagle 1 1 1
Northern Harrier 0 0 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0
Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 2 4 4
Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 0 2 2
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 4 10 10
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Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Wes Hetrick
Observers: Matt Orsie
Visitors:
A few folks seeking solitude on the AT.
Weather:
Still Summer but a hint of Fall: Temps over five hours rose from 67deg F
to 78deg F, sky overcast with high thin clouds (good for hawk viewing) but
high humidity cut visibility and gave everything a soft misty look ...
distant ridges appeared with a bluish haze. A light breeze from the West
was promising but wind dropped at 2PM.
Raptor Observations:
Vultures were up early and in good numbers so there was always something to
focus on. Except for a local RT no other raptors put in an appearance
until 1PM when high-flying migrants were sighted (thanks to sharp eyes of
Matt Orsie).
Non-raptor Observations:
Serious migration is on for swallows & swifts ... but not so serious that
they could resist chasing prey. I was impressed how a lone Purple Martin
can look like a falcon.
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Report submitted by Wes Hetrick (weshetrick@xxxxxxxx)
