Mendota Fire Tower
Mendota, VA, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 23, 2016
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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 2
Bald Eagle 1 6 6
Northern Harrier 1 5 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 12 12
Cooper's Hawk 1 7 7
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 2
Broad-winged Hawk 817 3829 3829
Red-tailed Hawk 0 8 8
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 0 5 5
Merlin 0 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 821 3880 3880
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:30:00
Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Ron Harrington
Observers: David Kirschke, George Larkin, Matt Fleenor, Sam Evans
Visitors:
Pete Hepberg of Kingsport, TN, Rich Jones, Knoxville, TN, Earl Lovelace and
Dallas Shouns, both of Kingsport. Another guest with "hawk eyes" was Amanda
Bishop of Abingdon, VA. She quickly became a very good spotter. And Grace
Finucane Friend and Marion Finucane visited with us again providing extra
help with finding raptors.
Weather:
It was clear and sunny with no clouds early but scattered cumulus clouds
developed as it warmed up to provide some backdrop for seeing hawks. Low
Temperature was 68F; high was 78F. Humidity steady at around 50% by early
afternoon. Visibility was very good (20+ miles). Winds were out of the East
and variable (Light to gentle at 8-12 mph)in the morning but changed to the
North/NW by 12:55, ranging from light to moderate (8-18 mph)and at times
calm.
Raptor Observations:
First BWH at 8:17 am EST. Good flights all morning but they dropped off
sharply starting in the 12:00 hour. Only 9 raptors were counted between
12:00 and 4:00. Most were at the limit,or beyond, of unaided vision, either
out over the East/Southeast side of the ridge, or high overhead. Several
local Turkey and Black Vultures were about. Two Red-tailed hawks were seen
flying here and there but did not appear to be migrating.
Non-raptor Observations:
Other birds noted were Ravens, Northern Flicker, Wood Peewee,Pileated WP,
Chimney Swifts, and Cape May Warbler. We counted 8 Monarch Butterflies.
Predictions:
Should be another good day for raptor migration based on reports from other
hawk watch sites up the line. It will be hot and sunny and the hawks will
again be a challenge to find and count.
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Report submitted by Ronald Eugene Harrington (roneharrin@xxxxxxx)
Site Description:
The Mendota Fire Tower Hawkwatch site is located atop Clinch Mountain at
the abandoned fire tower near Mendota, Virginia. A hawkwatch has been
conducted during fall migration each year since 1958 at this site.
Clinch Mountain is a 150 mile long ridge that runs from near Burke's Garden
in Tazewell County, Virginia to Blaine, Tennessee. It runs generally
Northeast to Southwest and divides the Clinch River drainage to the north
and the Holston River drainage to the south.
The site is on the Russell and Washington County lines and is at an
elevation of 3000 feet As is usual with a fire tower location there is a
360 degree view with Moccasin Valley and Pine Mountain to the North and
Mendota and the Holston River to the south.
Access to this site requires a moderately strenuous 25 minute hike on the
old fire tower access road. There are no facilities so be sure to bring
water, sunscreen, raingear, chair, snacks and lunch and binoculars. There
are no restrooms.
Directions to site:
TRAVELING FROM LEBANON/RICHLANDS/GRUNDY
Take Route 19 towards Abingdon. At Hansonville turn right on Route 58.
Travel 3.3 miles then turn left on Moccasin Valley Road (Route 613). Travel
9.9 miles on Moccasin Valley Road then turn left on Tower Road (County Road
612). Travel 2.7 miles on Tower Road. On the left there will be a rutted
dirt road, park nearby and walk to the tower on the dirt road.
TRAVELING FROM ABINGDON VIRGINIA
Take Route 19 towards Lebanon. After crossing the North Fork Holston River
turn left onto Mendota Road (Route 802). Travel 14.1 miles on Mendota Road.
Turn right onto Pinnacle Road. Travel 3 miles on Pinnacle Road. There will
be a rutted dirt road on the right. Park nearby and walk to the tower on
the rutted dirt road.
TRAVELING FROM BRISTOL, VA
Take Virginia Exit 1 on I-81. Take Route 58/421 towards Gate City, VA. Take
Gate City Highway (Route 58/421) 11 miles then turn right on Route 615.
Travel approximately 6 miles on Route 615 then turn left on Route 614, then
right on Route 802 at MendotaTravel approximately 1 mile on Route 802 then
turn laft on Pinnacle Road. Travel 3 miles on Pinnacle Road. On the right
there will be a rutted dirt road. Park nearby then walk to the tower on the
rutted dirt road.
