Mendota Fire Tower
Mendota, VA, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 19, 2015
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 3 11 11
Bald Eagle 1 4 4
Northern Harrier 1 2 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 2 2
Cooper's Hawk 3 4 4
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1116 1923 1923
Red-tailed Hawk 1 2 2
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 1 2 2
Merlin 0 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 1 2 2
Unknown Accipiter 1 2 2
Unknown Buteo 1 2 2
Unknown Falcon 1 2 2
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 1131 1960 1960
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Observation start time: 07:30:00
Observation end time: 16:15:00
Total observation time: 8.75 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Meade
Observers: George Larkin, Kevin Pierce, Steven Hopp, Susan Greear
Visitors:
Dr. Craig Hale, Tina Linkous, Rita Blankenbeckler, Judy Middlemas, Lily
McClellan, Macy McClellan, Linda Bruner, Chuck and Wanda McClellan, Donna
Linkous. Several additional visitors visited the Tower just to view the
scenery, not to count hawks.
Weather:
Weather began
Clear with light, NE winds, sky was fairly clear with warm
temperatures. As the day progressed, the temperatures became very warm,
several clouds moved in by mid afternoon but cleared somewhat by later
in the day. Winds became calm as the day progressed. Visibility was very
good throughout the day. Some cloud coverage made bird observations
easier.
Raptor Observations:
Active throughout the day, except for the 3-4 pm hour. Possibly, they were
at such height we did not detect them in flight. Also during the 5 pm hour,
no migrating birds were observed. Left the Tower at approx 5:20 pm. Much
diversity in today's sighthings, 1 immature bald eagle, 1 Northern Harrier,
1 Peregrine Falcon, and additional raptors listed in chart.
Non-raptor Observations:
Several Monarch butterflies were observed throughout the day. George Larkin
reported seeing 4 read Headed Woodpeckers in the 8-9 am hour. 3 Ravens were
observed. 1 Double Crested Cormorant was sighted by George Larkin. 2 birds
of unknown identification were observed, the pair was flying to the NE,
much white plumage was observed on these. Note, long-time Official
Counter, Thomas O Hunter, passed away yesterday. He was a great mentor to
many of the recent Mendota Tower hawk counters and visitors. He will be
greatly missed.
Predictions:
Birds are
.expected to be active again tomorrow, Sunday 20 September 2015.
Weather forecast is for partly cloudy skies and 20% possibility of rains
moving in tomorrow late afternoon.
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Report submitted by John D Whinery (Fall.Branch.Tn.Bird@xxxxxxxxx)
