FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] Mendota Hawk Report for September 14, 2007

[RonEHarrin@xxxxxxx]

Mendota Hawk Report for September 15, 2007

After the cold front moved through this morning, it was a beautiful day at 
the tower-clear, deep blue sky, unlimited visibility, and a steady wind out of 
the Northwest varying from 10-20 mph in the morning to 5-15 mph in the 
afternoon. I arrived at 11:00 a.m., joined by Stephanie McVay, a first-time 
hawk 
watcher from London, KY, and Ken Turner, Blountville, TN. Larry McDaniel and 
Rob 
Biller from Johnson City showed up at 12:45 p.m. Ronnie Vickers, Hiltons, VA 
came by later for a couple of hours. 

Despite ideal flying conditions and several experienced hawk watchers, we 
couldn't find the number of Broad-winged hawks that we anticipated, but we did 
enjoy the arrival of a Peregrine Falcon which circled around the tower a couple 
of times just to "show off." Another Peregrine passed the tower around 6:15. 
We counted 13 Monarch butterflies, and heard a Barred owl calling from 
somewhere on the north side of the mountain. The high sky made it difficult to 
see the 
hawks. Most were flying very high beyond the naked eye.

Totals:

Broad-winged hawk: 37    YTD: 115
Osprey:                    1     YTD: 6
Am. Kestrel:             1     YTD: 3
Sharp-shinned hawk:  0    YTD: 1
Cooper's hawk:          5     YTD: 5
Peregrine Falcon:      2     YTD: 2


From a traditional timing perspective and the predicted weather, we should 
have some good flights the next few days. 

The Mendota Hawk Watch is held at the Mendota Fire Tower(Elevation 3020), 
located on Clinch Mountain at the Washington/Russell County line, three miles 
north of Mendota, VA. Come join the fun. No experience necessary. OJT provided.

Ron Harrington
Bristol, VA



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