Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 03, 2004
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 1 1 281
Bald Eagle 3 5 149
Northern Harrier 5 14 127
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 5 1627
Cooper's Hawk 6 8 378
Northern Goshawk 0 0 9
Red-shouldered Hawk 14 20 133
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 3701
Red-tailed Hawk 145 234 1119
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 1 1 7
American Kestrel 0 0 87
Merlin 0 0 23
Peregrine Falcon 1 1 31
Unknown 1 5 77
Total: 181 294 7749
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 14:45:00
Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: Ian Topolsky
Observers: BJ Westervelt
Visitors:
Jamie Gregory stopped by, as did Harry Gurkin & Kona. Also- Joe & Jura
Coleman, Darrell Schwalm and Sharon Kearns.
Weather:
A definite chill to the air. Winds were desirable out of the NNW at 3
Beaufort for most of the day, dropping down to 2 by my departure.
Cloudcover was friendly, 75-100% all day (with a relatively high ceiling).
High Temp 54F.
Observations:
I sucked it up today for the Red-taileds...
Despite the enjoyable aspects of every other species that grace us with
their presence each season, Red-taileds, in my eyes, are the meat and
potatoes of Snickers Gap.
They define a moment in the season, and definite it well... They mean
business, and exhibit such control in any wind situation that its hard not
to show respect...
145 counted today (before I left); I'm hoping we can make up for last
year's below-average number.
Osprey. 1 more today, not packin' a lunch- just to taunt us (we're now 8
birds shy of a record-breaking season). Ain't gonna happen...
Bald Eagle breakdown: 1- 1st year, 2- adult.
Golden: 1- adult bird at 1:25.
Our 29th PG was an adult bird.
Loons are starting to really move, also a defining moment in the season.
Non-raptors:
Common Loon- 49, Canada Goose- 146, American Robin- 50+, Cedar Waxwing-
120, Pine Siskin- 4, American Golfinch- 15, Common Raven- 6.
Canines:
Though not necessarily acknowledged by the AKC, Portuguese Water Spaniel
(Harry's dog Kona)- 1.
Her mother was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (owned by Jack Kent Cook)
and the sire was a Portuguese Water Dog. She took after her mother in size
but retained her father's coat and webbed paws; she's smart and quite
capable of instilling fear in any stick within her immediate domain...
Predictions:
Who needs the Eightball on the 3rd of November..?
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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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