Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 22, 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 1 213
Bald Eagle 13 45 225
Northern Harrier 0 16 75
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 80 1485
Cooper's Hawk 0 29 241
Northern Goshawk 0 3 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 6 30 58
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 10497
Red-tailed Hawk 25 371 561
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 1 6 18
American Kestrel 0 0 187
Merlin 0 1 47
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 40
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 18
Unknown Buteo 0 2 7
Unknown Falcon 0 0 10
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 5 30
Total: 46 590 13718
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Gabriel Mapel
Observers: Allen Larner
Visitors:
Mary Mapel
Weather:
A dry front passed through last night and today bringing more clouds
(varying 30-95% cloud cover today which really helped spot the raptors) and
strong, cold Northwesterly winds. Temperature today a chilly 3.2-5.2C.
Clear visibility.
Raptor Observations:
The front passing through must have really sent a signal to the Eagles to
get migrating because we had a terrific day of 13 Bald and 1 Golden Eagles
today! The Golden Eagle was a beautiful adult that sailed high directly
overhead at 12:14pm. BE Flight: five morning youngsters (9:25 2nd-YR,
10:04 1st-YR, 10:21 3rd-YR, 10:32 3rd-YR, 10:54 1st-YR) and eight afternoon
adults (12:10 pair, 12:37, 12:42 male/female pair, 1:52, and 1:57
male/female pair).
The Buteos seemed to pop out everywhere today with no specific flight path
but eleven of the Bald Eagles appeared over the North Ridge and then sailed
SSW down the west side of the gap. Only the last BE pair of the day
appeared to the east and then migrated south down the east side of the gap.
First Bird-9:06 RT, Last Bird-2:21 RS.
Non-raptor Observations:
Midday a Raven flew past carrying an Onion Ring, and then 10 minutes later
another or the same Raven flew in carrying a hotdog bun. Other birds seen
going over included a nice flight of 21 Common Loons, 163 Fish Crows, 39
Cedar Waxwings, 48 Robins, and 18 Red-winged Blackbirds.
Predictions:
More sun but another chilly day with Westerly winds. Hopefully at least a
few Red-tails and maybe a few more Eagles will be pushing through.
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Report submitted by Gabriel Mapel (birdmangabriel@xxxxxxxxx)
Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org
