[Bristol-Birds] Mendota Update for 9/23 & 9/24

[RonEHarrin@xxxxxxx]

Hi Folks:

Haze, Hot and High: That's the best way to describe Friday, September 23. The 
winds were light and variable, but became calm by afternoon, and the birds 
were flying high before noon. Fortunately, some wispy, fluffy clouds started 
forming by early afternoon, which gave some backdrop. George Larkins, who used 
to 
keep the count, showed up to help, and some new birders, John Clonce and Lori 
Beth Davidson, proved invaluable in finding and counting hawks in the clear 
but hazy morning sky. Visitors included Stan and Elizabeth Pierce, Bobby and 
Faith Anderson, Wayne Brickey, and Caldwell Brickey. Violet Larkins, who is no 
longer able to climb to the tower, keep a lonely vigil beside her car at the 
gap. 

On Saturday, September 24, while Bill Grisgby and I manned the Bristol Bird 
Club display at the Mendota Hawk Festival, George Larkins, Bob Quillen and 
Violent Larkins continued the count. Donna and Tina Linkous helped out for a 
while.

Early winds were moderate, gusty, and variable from E/SE, then E/NE. There 
were haze and high clouds with bright sun early. Clouds gradually moved in and 
by late afternoon, the sky was mostly cloudy. The temperature was in the low to 
mid-70s.  During the afternoon, George and Violent picked up another 
Peregrine Falcon and an adult Bald Eagle. 

Meanwhile back at the Mendota Hawk Festival: While listening to the beautiful 
music of Bill Clifton, we spotted an immature Bald Eagle flying over the Hawk 
Festival area. Many of those in attendance got to see the bird soaring around 
the sun directly overhead. Nice touch for the festival, and good timing on 
the part of the eagle!

Species:                            9-23-05            9-24-05                
            Year-to-Date

Northern Harrier                   -                            -             
                           2
Broad-winged Hawk         685                        75                       
               6151
Coopers Hawk                    3                            1                
                          14
Am. Bald Eagle                  1                             2               
                           6
Osprey                                  -                           -         
                                 20
Am. Kestrel                        1                             -            
                               3
Sharp-shinned Hawk          2                             3                   
                      13
Red-shouldered Hawk          -                             -                  
                       1
Peregrine Falcon                  -                             1             
                            2

Other: Red-headed WP:       -                             -                   
                       2

Man Hours:    37

If you didn't attend the Festival, you missed out on great fellowship, yummy 
food, wonderful old time music, apple butter making, craft sales, and a neat 
car show.

The Mendota Fire Tower is located atop Clinch Mountain, on the 
Washington-Russell County line, about three miles north of Mendota, VA. 

Ron Harrington
Bristol, VA

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[Bristol-Birds] Mendota Update for 9/23 & 9/24