[va-bird] HSR: Snickers Gap (20 Nov 2002) Raptor counts (total=84)

Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
20 Miles West of Leesburg, VA, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 20, 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              2            254
Bald Eagle                   3             18            147
Northern Harrier             0             24            159
Sharp-shinned Hawk           4            120           1376
Cooper's Hawk                5             28            201
Northern Goshawk             0              4              6
Red-shouldered Hawk          4             44            106
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0           3365
Red-tailed Hawk             66            872           1431
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 2             11             25
American Kestrel             0              0            152
Merlin                       0              0             29
Peregrine Falcon             0              2             57
Unknown                      0              9             95

Total:                      84           1134           7403
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 10:00:00 
Observation end   time: 16:00:00 
Total observation time: 6 hours

Site Coordinator: Ian Topolsky

Observers:        

Visitors:
  Corky Waugh.


Weather:
  Wind was extremely light today; it was initially out of the NW but
gradually wrapped around to ESE by the end of the day and was never above
1 on the Beaufort scale. Cloudcover also was scarce for most of the day
and Temp topped off at 55F.

Observations:
  Highlight of the day was an immature GE that hung around for over 40
minutes (appearing at 12:15) and later engaged in, what appeared to be, a
friendly dogfight with an adult BE over the "locust grove". They dove at
each other and talon-locked for over 10 minutes, BELOW the ridgeline and
on our side of "Dolly" before going their seperate ways. Also, an adult GE
that seemed much more determined to get where he/she was going came
through at 2:15.


========================================================================
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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  • » [va-bird] HSR: Snickers Gap (20 Nov 2002) Raptor counts (total=84)