[va-bird] HSR: Snickers Gap (22 Oct 2003) Raptor counts (total=63)

Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
20 Miles West of Leesburg, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 22, 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             76            280
Bald Eagle                   5             42            122
Northern Harrier             3             97            156
Sharp-shinned Hawk          31            910           1442
Cooper's Hawk                4            147            220
Northern Goshawk             0              5              6
Red-shouldered Hawk          0             41             63
Broad-winged Hawk            0             75          11647
Red-tailed Hawk              8            116            220
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              1              4
American Kestrel             4             64            195
Merlin                       3             18             32
Peregrine Falcon             0             16             44
Unknown                      5             63             89

Total:                      63           1671          14520
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 08:30:00 
Observation end   time: 14:30:00 
Total observation time: 6 hours

Official Counter: Ian Topolsky

Observers:        

Visitors:
  Of course, Joseph Gantt (my trusty sidekick)- who showed up in sandals
and with no jacket. He spent the day looking N to W out of his windshield
and side window, spotting a good number of birds that our teary eyes might
have missed.
  Last but not least, David Holmes- who stuck it out through bouts of rain
and the steady, biting wind. David nabbed the first Merlin of the day and
caught numerous other birds by keeping a sharp eye on the back door; the
perfect wingman...


Weather:
  An interesting day to say the least, if not less... Though no rain was
predicted, that is exactly what it did- four times. 
  Winds were out of the NW at 3-5 Beaufort (increasing as the day
progressed) and Cloudcover ranged from 70-100%, with a brief period of 50%
in the 1 o'clock hour (EST). Temps topped off at 48F.

Observations:
  Still no noticeable increase in Red-tailed numbers, despite the fact that
the first day of the peak two-week period is only a week away.  
  Highlight of the day was probably the 3 Merlins that passed through like
little, dark rockets- a Merlin with a 20-25 mph tail wind is always a nice
sight. 
  BE breakdown: 1- 2nd year, 1- 3rd year, 3- adults. 
The 3 adults passed through in the 11 o'clock hour (EST), headed S in a
tight-knit group. They were seen doubling back an hour later, closer to
the river, and were then kept in limbo for the rest of the day- until the
three dark figures crept BACK south following the same line, only minutes
before I left the site due to the heaviest of the day's rains.
  We only need to luck into 10 more Osprey to set a new season record...

  Blue Jay- 59, Common Raven- 7. 19 Monarchs.

Predictions:
  Will the weathermen get tomorrow's forecast right?

  "MY SOURCES SAY NO", the Mystical Head smugly replies.
========================================================================
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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