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*Mendota Fire Tower Mendota, VA, Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep
24, 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 7 7 Northern Harrier 0 5 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 15 15 Cooper's Hawk 1 8 8 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 2 Broad-winged Hawk 249 4078 4078 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 1 2 2 Unknown
Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0
0 Total: 255 4135 4135
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Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total
observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Jennifer Meade Observers:
Gary Cooper, George Larkin, Jennifer Kennedy, Mike Sanders Visitors:
Kevin Pierce, Joshua Pierce, Greg Williams, Shane Williams, John Kelly,
Sheri Hiter, David Raines, Jane Thornhill, Danielle Henry, Tom Dye,
Lavern Hunter, Jean Montgomery, Sue Slack, Susan Greear, Mike and Beth
Rutherford. The Russell County Bird Club hosted a noon ceremony at the
base of the tower in memory of Opie Tom Hunter. The ceremony recognized
his significant contributions to birding in general and the Mendota Hawk
Count specifically. A beautiful plaque has been purchased in his memory
and will be placed at an indoor location, possible the Mendota Community
Center Library, Mendota, VA. Jennifer Fletcher Meade and David Raines
spoke in memory/honor of Tom's life and contributions to birding and the
Mendota Hawk Count. Weather: Temperature ranged from 68-85 F degrees.
Could cover 2-30%. The wind was ENE 3-4 MPH, shifting to WNW, then very
calm--most of the day. Visibility was 20+ miles. Raptor Observations:
The flight level from below eye level to limit of visibility (no aide)
to binoculars. Non-raptor Observations: One Ruffed Grouse, several
chimney swifts, several Black and Turkey Vultures throughout the day,
Yellow-throated vireo, Red-headed WP, Cape May Warbler, American
Redstart, several Carolina Chickadees, and Titmouse. A few Monarch
butterflies passed by throughout the day. Predictions: Should be another
good day for hawk watching. It will be hot again with a 20% chance of
rain. Mostly sunny conditions with some cloud cover.
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Report submitted by Ronald Eugene Harrington (roneharrin@xxxxxxx)*
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