Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 01, 2015
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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 0 212
Bald Eagle 1 1 181
Northern Harrier 4 4 63
Sharp-shinned Hawk 16 16 1421
Cooper's Hawk 5 5 217
Northern Goshawk 0 0 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 28
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 10497
Red-tailed Hawk 10 10 200
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 1 1 13
American Kestrel 0 0 187
Merlin 0 0 46
Peregrine Falcon 1 1 40
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 18
Unknown Buteo 0 0 5
Unknown Falcon 0 0 10
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 25
Total: 38 38 13166
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:45:00
Total observation time: 8.75 hours
Official Counter: Gabriel Mapel, Vic Laubach
Observers: Gabriel Mapel, Vic Laubach, William Leigh
Visitors:
Daniel Mapel
Weather:
A warm day with temp ranging from 16.1-19.6C. Overcast all day with only a
few breaks in the clouds midday. The day started with light East Wind but
the wind picked up and changed to a Westerly direction after 11am. Some
fog early quickly clearing with some haze to the west until noon and then
the air became crystal clear.
Raptor Observations:
A very nice raptor day for the first day of November. A steady trickle of
Sharp-shins, Cooper's, and Red-tails throughout plus another very good
Harrier day with four.
Two of the Harriers were adult males, one of which was a close-in bird lit
up perfectly by the sun against a dark gray sky background. Talk about a
stunning view!
One adult Bald Eagle at 2:43pm and one juvenile Golden Eagle at 3:14 which
gave good views as it flew over close. The day's only Falcon, a juvenile
Peregrine gave excellent views as it flew low overhead at 1:48pm.
First Bird-9:52 SS, Last Bird-3:42 SS
Non-raptor Observations:
A good non-raptor day that included another visit from our limping Raccoon
buddy, and a pair of late-season Monarch Butterflies, though today's
highlight goes to the Cedar Waxwings. An incredible Cedar Waxwing flight
today, heaviest in the morning, totaling 1,516 individuals! Another good
American Robin flight today as well with 601.
Predictions:
Overcast, east winds, 50s. Rain likely.
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Report submitted by Gabriel Mapel (birdmangabriel@xxxxxxxxx)
Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org
