FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] HSR: Snickers Gap (08 Oct 2003) Raptor counts (total=80)

[reports@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
20 Miles West of Leesburg, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2003
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               0              0              0
Osprey                       2             32            236
Bald Eagle                   3             17             97
Northern Harrier             3             21             80
Sharp-shinned Hawk          43            219            751
Cooper's Hawk                9             38            111
Northern Goshawk             2              3              4
Red-shouldered Hawk          2              9             31
Broad-winged Hawk            5             71          11643
Red-tailed Hawk              6             28            132
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              3
American Kestrel             2             25            156
Merlin                       0              3             17
Peregrine Falcon             0             13             41
Unknown                      3             26             52

Total:                      80            505          13354
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Observation start time: 09:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:15:00 
Total observation time: 7.25 hours

Official Counter: Ian Topolsky

Observers:        BJ Westervelt, Lad Topolsky

Visitors:
  A few people dropped by briefly throughout the course of the day.


Weather:
  The eightball wasn't joking last night when it said "REPLY HAZY"...
Nasty, nasty blue skies that were, for the most part, cloudless. Winds
started off weakly from the W, and finished even weaker out of the E. Temp
topped off at 65F.

Observations:
  By midday most of our birds were quite high. If not for a single large
cloud (that was the "sea turtle" at one point) and it's associated wisps,
a few of these birds could have easily slipped by unnoticed. 
BE breakdown: 1- 2nd year, 2- 3rd year. NG: 1- imm, 1- adult. *Neither of
the OS were packing a lunch.

  Blue Jay- 91, Swallow sp-2, Monarch B.- 5

Predictions:
  Friendlier sky tomorrow?  The eightball responds, "IF YOUR LUCKY". 
So, Dorothy. Now you have to ask yourself, "Do you feel lucky"?
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ian Topolsky (ict_earth@xxxxxxxxx)


     Snickers Gap Hawkwatch was established in 1990.  It is located in northern 
Virginia, on the Clarke and Loudoun County line.  It is reached by taking VA 
Route 7 to the county line, which runs atop the ridge at Snickers Gap.  On the 
south side of Route 7 is a commuter parking lot.  The count is conducted from 
there.  It is a volunteer site, and is counted in fall only, from late August 
until late November or early December.  There are no facilities at the site, so 
bring a snack, drinks, and a chair.  Many of the birds can be distant, and a 
scope is helpful.  
     As a volunteer site, we are always looking to increase our pool of 
counters.  We are eager to train those who have never counted, but are skilled 
with hawk identification.  We are also willing to pair inexperienced observers 
with experienced counters.  Please contact the compiler, Todd Day, at 
blkvulture@xxxxxxx with any questions or if you are interested in participating 
in the count.  


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