Mendota Fire Tower
Mendota, VA, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 30, 2017
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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 0 7 7
Bald Eagle 0 8 8
Northern Harrier 0 3 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 16 16
Cooper's Hawk 0 10 10
Northern Goshawk 0 5 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 3 3
Broad-winged Hawk 0 7376 7376
Red-tailed Hawk 0 8 8
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 0 3 3
Merlin 0 2 2
Peregrine Falcon 1 2 2
Unknown Accipiter 0 4 4
Unknown Buteo 0 1 1
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 1 1
Total: 2 7450 7450
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Teresa Hutson
Observers: Kathy Shearer, Rees Shearer
Visitors:
Jane & Bill Clarke from Charlottesville, VA (Friends of Kathy & Rees,
arrived at noon and left at 1:00)
Weather:
The temperature was around 52 when I arrived, and probably around 63, when
I left. There was a slight breeze from the Northwest, off and on. The sky
was mostly clear over the valley to the West and there were thin clouds in
the Southeast. Over the point, it remained clear the entire 4 hours.
Raptor Observations:
The Sharp-shinned Hawk came by at eye level on the Northwest side of the
ridge around 9:40, or so. The Peregrine Falcon was also at eye level on
the Northwest side of the ridge, coming by just after 9:50. There was a
local Red-tailed Hawk flying around the northeast side of the peak, around
10:30.
Non-raptor Observations:
The Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures were very present, seemingly early,
this morning. The Ravens were very close, flying back and forth,
vocalizing a lot. A Northern Flicker flew across the gap and down into the
valley on the Northwest side. There were two groups of Chimney Swifts that
few in from the Southeast, and across the ridge towards the Northwest.
There were a few Warblers in a couple of the Pine Trees, and only the
Chestnut-sided Warbler and Blackburnian could be identified. Two Warblers
were not identified, as they didn't cooperate quite as well. There were
quite a few Juncos around, as well a Phoebe, Downy Woodpecker, Blue Jay,
and a White-breasted Nuthatch.
Predictions:
It is due to be clear and cool in Mendota on Sunday. Very slight wind,
5-6mi/hr. It will probably be a similar day to today. As has been the
pattern during the last few days, early morning to mid-morning will
probably be the best time to see any raptors.
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Report submitted by Ronald Eugene Harrington (roneharrin@xxxxxxx)
More site information at hawkcount.org:
http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=706
