Snickers Gap
20 Miles West of Leesburg, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 25, 2013
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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 2 125
Bald Eagle 2 25 136
Northern Harrier 0 3 50
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 14 918
Cooper's Hawk 0 7 135
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 21 48
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 11616
Red-tailed Hawk 9 259 534
Rough-legged Hawk 1 1 1
Golden Eagle 0 2 3
American Kestrel 0 1 88
Merlin 0 1 28
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 10
Unknown Accipiter 0 3 10
Unknown Buteo 0 1 11
Unknown Falcon 0 1 3
Unknown Eagle 0 1 1
Unknown Raptor 0 1 20
Total: 12 344 13738
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Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Larry Brindza
Observers:
Visitors:
There were 9 hikers heading for the Appalachian Trail.
Weather:
Bright sunny blue skies with enough clouds to provide contrast, but it was
c-c-c COLD! A 10:00 starting time presented -2 degrees C temperatures (28
degrees F). High was 1 degree C(30 F). Fortunately the wind was never
higher than a score of 2 to slightly variable.
Raptor Observations:
Two adult Bald Eagles started off the first hour, followed by a light-phase
Rough-legged Hawk in the second hour! Nine Red-tailed Hawks completed the
day.
Non-raptor Observations:
The first Turkey Vulture was up at 10:35. There were two flocks of Canada
Geese flying north. One flock had 14 and the other flock had 23. Two local
Pileated Woodpeckers and two Red-bellied Woodpeckers provided tapping
entertainment for the day.
Predictions:
With steadily falling barometric pressures each hour, we will probably have
freezing rain and possibly snow tomorrow.
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Report submitted by Larry Brindza (ljbrindza@xxxxxxx)
Site Description:
The Snickers Gap Hawkwatch was established in 1990. It is located in
northern Virginia, on the Clarke and Loudoun County line. It is reached by
taking VA Route 7 to the county line, which runs atop the ridge at Snickers
Gap. On the south side of Route 7 is a commuter parking lot. The count is
conducted from there. It is a volunteer site, and is counted in fall only,
from late August until late November or early December. There are no
facilities at the site, so bring a snack, drinks,and a chair. Many of the
birds can be distant,and a scope is helpful.
As a volunteer site, we are always looking to increase our pool of
counters. We are eager to train those who have never counted, but are
skilled with hawk identification. We are also willing to pair inexperienced
observers with experienced counters. Please contact the compiler, Todd Day,
at blkvulture@xxxxxxx with any questions or if you are interested in
participating in the count.
