[va-bird] HSR: Snickers Gap (26 Sep 2003) Raptor counts (total=1142)

Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
20 Miles West of Leesburg, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 26, 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               0              0              0
Osprey                      17            143            156
Bald Eagle                   2             60             66
Northern Harrier             7             38             43
Sharp-shinned Hawk          28            405            407
Cooper's Hawk                6             57             58
Northern Goshawk             0              0              0
Red-shouldered Hawk          0             17             17
Broad-winged Hawk         1067          11160          11188
Red-tailed Hawk              1             90             90
Rough-legged Hawk            0              0              0
Golden Eagle                 0              2              2
American Kestrel             4             97             97
Merlin                       0              9             10
Peregrine Falcon             7             17             17
Unknown                      3             24             24

Total:                    1142          12119          12175
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 08:30:00 
Observation end   time: 17:45:00 
Total observation time: 9.25 hours

Official Counter: Ian Topolsky

Observers:        Jesse Fulton, Joan Boudreau, Mike Reyman, Ralph Wall,
                  William Leigh

Visitors:
  Roger and Suzanne Howard.


Weather:
  Despite the strong haze that was present throughout the entire day,
conditions were ideal for our site (the eightball did it again...). Winds
were out of the East and at a relatively steady clip (2 Beaufort) all day,
with the exception of a lull here and there. Cloudcover ranged from
20-50%+ and Temps topped off at 81F.

Observations:
  None of us had anticipated seeing the number of BWs that passed over the
Gap today, not on the 26th of September, but they had already started to
pour through at a steady rate when I arrived at 8:30 EST. They had tapered
off drastically by 11:00 EST, but rebounded from 1-4, especially in the 2
o'clock hour. Biggest hour was 9-10 EST, which netted us 433. Second
biggest hour: 2-3 EST (264).
  In addition to our unexpected BW numbers, 7 Peregrines muscled their way
through on the E side of the ridge (5 of which came in the last hour & 45
mins of observation). The UF was the last bird of the day, and appeared to
be another PG. This bird took the same line as the previous 7, but was
further out and lower over the valley- just pounding away at the air
around it and covering an enormous amount of ground for how far away it
was, but by then the light had become slightly surreal and un-true.
  Breakdown of BEs- 2 adults; also, no Ospreys were packing a lunch today;
we've probably seen only 1 Osprey this season that cruised through with a
fish in it's talons. By this time last year it was a common occurence.

  Blue Jays were noticeably on the increase today- 211+. Chimney Swift-
160+, Red-headed Woodpecker- 4. And in our "facilities": 1- Hairy
Woodpecker, 1- A. Redstart, 3- Magnolias, 1- Hooded and 2- Black-throated
Blue Warblers.
  Also, another first for the Gap today. An apparent wedding ceremony that
included only the bride, groom and preacher, that took place up at Bear's
Den. I still wish they had looked a LITTLE happier when they returned to
their pick-up truck...

  

Predictions:
  The magic eightball (now 5 and 1) simply says, "MY SOURCES SAY NO"-
before it is even asked a question...
========================================================================
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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