Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
20 Miles West of Leesburg, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 12, 2003
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 57 70
Bald Eagle 0 27 33
Northern Harrier 0 6 11
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 82 84
Cooper's Hawk 0 16 17
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 3 3
Broad-winged Hawk 131 1671 1699
Red-tailed Hawk 0 49 49
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 2 2
American Kestrel 0 16 16
Merlin 0 3 4
Peregrine Falcon 1 3 3
Unknown 0 8 8
Total: 137 1943 1999
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Observation start time: 06:30:00
Observation end time: 12:45:00
Total observation time: 6.25 hours
Official Counter: Sam Young
Observers:
Weather:
Despite the gloomy forecast for the day, Sam dutifully drove the hour to
the Gap anyways. Wind was once again out of the East during observation
hours, at 2 on the Beaufort. Cloudcover was 100% with a low ceiling and
patches of fog to boot. Drizzle crept in at roughly 11:30 EST, followed an
hour later by heavier rains. Temp ranged from 59-66F.
Observations:
First bird of the day was a Sharpie at 6:46 EST. The Peregrine made it's
way through at 8:16. Not a single Broad-winged Hawk to be found until
12:30, when a kettle of 46 passed through on the East side of the ridge
(just as the heavier rains started falling).
2 Ravens, a few small icterid flocks.
Predictions:
When asked if the weather and birds will cooperate tomorrow, the
eightball replies "As I see it, YES".
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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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