Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 12, 2012
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 0 0
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 57 57 57
Red-tailed Hawk 1 1 1
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 0 0 0
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 2 2 2
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 61 61 61
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Vic Laubach
Observers: Gabriel Mapel
Weather:
What a beautiful day to kick-off the season! Mostly sunny with up to 30%
clouds which really helped spot the birds. Moderate NNW breezes throughout
the day and calming down to just a slight breeze by 3pm (which incidentally
is when the skies cleared of all birds). 19-25*C. ~50% humidity.
Raptor Observations:
Well, our first day of the season was a real treat because the season
usually starts out very slowly! The dry cold front that moved through from
the NW yesterday must have really got the birds moving! The morning was a
bit slow with 11 Broad-winged Hawks and 1 Red-tailed Hawk. Things really
picked up in the afternoon with 46 BWH and an adult Bald Eagle (1:54pm).
Most of the BWHs were adults and were moving through in groups of 3-6 at a
time. They were in no hurry to pass through though, and there were a few
that did not move south and thus not counted. Several local Red-tailed
Hawks kept us company all day, as well as many Black and Turkey Vultures.
I know, the standard season start date is Aug 15, but the birds don't know
that! We couldn't wait for the 15th (and we're glad we didn't)!
Non-raptor Observations:
3 Hummingbirds, 4 Ravens, 1 Cooper's Hawk (did not pass by though), a Great
Blue Heron, lots of Chimney Swifts and Barn Swallows.
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Report submitted by Vic Laubach (laubach@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA information may be found at:
http://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org
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