FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] HSR: Snickers Gap (01 Oct 2004) 81 Raptors

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Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 01, 2004
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               0              0              0
Osprey                       4              4            249
Bald Eagle                   8              8             80
Northern Harrier             3              3             48
Sharp-shinned Hawk          45             45            636
Cooper's Hawk                6              6            162
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          2              2             28
Broad-winged Hawk            2              2           3697
Red-tailed Hawk              5              5             89
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              0              0
American Kestrel             2              2             69
Merlin                       1              1             11
Peregrine Falcon             3              3             10
Unknown                      0              0             35

Total:                      81             81           5114
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 09:00:00 
Observation end   time: 15:00:00 
Total observation time: 6 hours

Official Counter: Jesse Fulton

Observers:        Ian Topolsky

Visitors:
  Ray Smith and a few others.




Weather:
  Fade to blue, again.

  We had 3 clouds today- for 15 minutes, behind us. Winds were quite
desirable; E according to the weathervane, but more like SE (at a solid
1-2+). High Temp 72F.

Observations:
  It looked like things were shaping up for a good falcon flight. East
winds were brewing and our first bird of the day was an immature Peregrine
that appeared over the "Locust Grove" and flew low down the gap to the
East, this side of the "Walnut" (close). 2 Peregrines, 1 Merlin and 1
Kestrel followed in the next hour but the falcons pretty much dried up
after that.

  A decent Bald Eagle day. Breakdown: 2- 1st yr, 3- 2nd yr, 1- 3rd yr, 2-
adults.

  No Osprey packin' a lunch.

  When we arrived we were greeted by another yet another Snickers moment.
One Loudoun Co sheriff, one Clarke Co sheriff, two state troopers and a
non-descript, empty delivery truck were occuping the best part of our lot.


  The truck driver was intoxicated, had no log book in the truck, no
records, had only a regular driver's license (no CDL) and was on some type
of medication... They nailed him outside of Mt. Weather, go figure. Other
than a few citations and being forced by law to spend the next 10 hrs at
Snickers before the truck can be moved, I think he pretty much checked out
in the end- though his name will almost surely be added to a watchlist
after today...

  Also, the Pumpkin and friend were back. 

  

Predictions:
  Rain a factor tomorrow?

  Ooh, "WITHOUT A DOUBT".
========================================================================
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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