Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 12, 2018
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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 18 219
Bald Eagle 9 35 217
Northern Harrier 0 8 39
Sharp-shinned Hawk 61 626 1213
Cooper's Hawk 14 132 250
Northern Goshawk 0 1 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 4 19
Broad-winged Hawk 1 1023 23580
Red-tailed Hawk 16 40 96
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 2 8
American Kestrel 4 56 217
Merlin 2 8 59
Peregrine Falcon 0 7 44
Unknown Accipiter 0 2 7
Unknown Buteo 0 0 3
Unknown Falcon 0 0 6
Unknown Eagle 0 0 1
Unknown Raptor 3 9 27
Mississippi Kite 0 0 9
Total: 111 1971 26016
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Observation start time: 07:45:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Official Counter: Brenda Tekin
Observers: Dave Hunter
Visitors:
Doug Wigner of Richmond; Betty Mooney, Marshall Faintich
Weather:
Some of the strongest winds counter has experienced at top of the ridge
since early 90's. Sustained gale force winds with strong gusts, impeding
walking! Wintergreen just a few short miles south of the gap recorded a
wind gust of 67mph this morning!
Winds and gusts began to slowly diminish by 9am EST. Bright cloudless blue
sky all day and cool temps with leading edge of cold front 9.4c>19.7c;
Humidity: 45<37%; Bar.Pressure: 27.64<24.60;
Raptor Observations:
After two days of fog and rain and arrival of a cold front, the birds were
ready to go early. Counter reported the birds weren't flying; they were
being ripped out of the trees and slung across the gap! Things slowed down
during the afternoon hours as the winds diminished.
Red-tails are beginning to stir. Several small groups flying in together,
hanging about a bit before heading southward. An impressive showing of
Bald Eagle, including a second year flying in at 9:30 being harassed by a
Merlin that showed it no mercy. The 2nd year eagle flipped upside down to
fend off another attack by the relentless falcon. Someone was certainly
feelings its oats!! A presumed family group of four BAEA flew in together
at 2:06 that included 2 adults and 2 1st years.
Dave Hunter picked up a distant high circling spec far out over the valley
to the west requiring scope to ID the only Red-shoulder for the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
Flock of approximately 30 DC Cormorant flying high over the Shenandoah
Valley.
Chimney Swift- at least 33
Several Large waves of Tree Swallows blown through the gap between 9-10
EST. Monarch Butterfly-at least 49; Common Buckeye-6; Red Admiral-3
Predictions:
less wind and cool
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Report submitted by Brenda Tekin (brenda@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org
More site information at hawkcount.org:
http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=491
