FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] HSR: Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch (05 Nov 2006) 77 Raptors

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Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
BV                           0              0              0
TV                           0              0              0
OS                           0              0            190
BE                           0              0             65
NH                           0              3             59
SS                           7             31           1561
CH                           0              2            195
NG                           0              1              3
RS                           8             26             67
BW                           0              0          14342
RT                          61            711           1444
RL                           0              0              0
GE                           0              3              9
AK                           0              0            185
ML                           0              0             19
PG                           0              0             51
UA                           0              1              7
UB                           0              0             12
UF                           0              0              4
UE                           0              0              1
UR                           1              2             21

Total:                      77            780          18235
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 07:45:00 
Observation end   time: 15:00:00 
Total observation time: 7.25 hours

Official Counter: Multiple Counters

Observers:        Brenda Tekin, Mark Johnson, Vic Laubach

Visitors:
Thanks to Mark Johnson from Madison Heights and Robert Plank for their
assistance today.


Weather:
Light variable breeze 3-5km/h, not enough to get the birds moving through.;
Temp: 3c increasing to 13c by 11am then dropping back to 10.5c with passing
of clouds blocking the sun.
Humidity: 1027<1025; 
Cloud Cover: overcast early one decreasing to mostly sunny by early
afternoon.
Persistent haze produced with heat-shimmer effect.

Raptor Observations:
Vic Laubach arrived early but nothing was flying with first birds, only 2,
between 9-10 a.m.  Majority of Red-tails were located off to the west over
Waynesboro, many below eye level, difficult at times to see through the
haze.  Oftentimes single to small groups of 2-4 and 6 found kettling with
vultures over the western valley with hopes of finding upper level winds,
which there were not.  Birds were observed flapping to move across the
valley floor.

Considering a slower paced day, 8 Red-shouldered Hawk, most coming in
close, was a special treat. With the previous day's count of 6, the
two-day total of 14 was half of our 15-year average (24) and total of 67
to date makes it the best overall season for this species in the 31-year
history of RGHW.

Non-raptor Observations:
Vic Laubach reported a huge flock of 300+ Cedar Waxwing at 8:30 a.m.

Predictions:
warmer temps and increasing clouds with approaching rain
========================================================================
Report submitted by Brenda Tekin (bt8x@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA information may be found at:
http://home.ntelos.net/~btkin/rockfish_gap_hawk_watch


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