Mendota Fire Tower
Mendota, VA, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 19, 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 0 1 1
Northern Harrier 0 2 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 8 8
Cooper's Hawk 1 3 3
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 2
Broad-winged Hawk 132 907 907
Red-tailed Hawk 0 2 2
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 0 2 2
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 136 930 930
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Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 15:45:00
Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Official Counter: Ron Harrington
Observers: Matt Fleenor
Visitors:
Rick Canterburg of Rock Springs, Wyo; and Bob McCrackin of Blountville, TN
Weather:
Foggy and cloudy conditions at first with little or no visibility. But
conditions rapidly improved and by 9:30 am (EST) it began to break up.
Clouds came and went and it was mostly cloudy again by 11:00 am, then
clearing to mostly sunny by 12:15.Temperatures ranged from a low of 69
degrees F to a high of 80 F by 2:00 pm. There was a light wind out of the
West/Northwest, changing to the North by 11:00 am. Humidity was 68% in the
morning, dropping to 48% by 2:00. Once the foggy clouds dissipated and
cloud ceiling was higher, visibility was very good (20+ miles).
Raptor Observations:
Most hawks were beyond the range of unaided vision. The first hawks--three
accipiters-- were seen at 8:57 am darting at each other in and out of a
foggy cloud. We confirmed two Sharp-shinned hawks and one Cooper's. Later
in the day we saw a sharp-shinned hawk harassing a Raven. There were lots
of Black and Turkey Vultures. Two BVs landed in the tower and hissed at us
for a while (as if they wanted us to leave "their" area). Most of the
Broad-winged hawks we counted were in one kettle (90). They were flying
high on the North side of the tower at 10:35. The last kettle of 25 came by
at 12:15. Only one more BW was spotted after that. Late in the day we saw
two Red-tailed hawks kiting but they did not appear to be migrating.
Non-raptor Observations:
Several Chimney Swifts were flying around the tower. Saw a Junco and a
Phoebe.
Predictions:
High pressure is suppose take over and the skies will be clear. Only a
slight chance of a shower. Should be a good day for hawks to be moving but
they may be hard to see during the hot part of the day if the skies are
completely clear. Twin Springs HS Environmental Research Class will be
there tomorrow.
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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.
