FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] HSR: Snickers Gap (06 Nov 2002) Raptor counts (total=26)

[reports@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
20 Miles West of Leesburg, VA, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 06, 2002
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Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               0              0              0
Osprey                       0              1            253
Bald Eagle                   0              7            136
Northern Harrier             0             12            147
Sharp-shinned Hawk           5             49           1305
Cooper's Hawk                1              6            179
Northern Goshawk             0              0              2
Red-shouldered Hawk          2             14             76
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0           3365
Red-tailed Hawk             16            288            847
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              2             16
American Kestrel             0              0            152
Merlin                       0              0             29
Peregrine Falcon             1              1             56
Unknown                      1              6             92

Total:                      26            386           6655
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Observation start time: 13:00:00 
Observation end   time: 15:00:00 
Total observation time: 2 hours

Site Coordinator: Ian Topolsky

Observers:        

Visitors:
  


Weather:
  Got to the gap at 10:30 and waited until 1:00 for the fog to lift, only
for it to start raining at 3:00. Winds were hard from the NW at 5 on the
Beaufort scale with very heavy gusts. Temp was steady at 45F, 100% CC.

Observations:
  All the birds that came through in the 2hr window were really working to
maintain course and make good use of their time except for the Ravens, who
appeared to be having an absolute blast. Full loops, barrel rolls and
games of tag were their most pressing issues of the day. Very
entertaining. A Peregrine that passed through at 2:15 was a nice bonus
also.


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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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