[Bristol-Birds] Mendota Update for 9/23 & 9/24
- From: RonEHarrin@xxxxxxx
- To: bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, drcumbow@xxxxxxxxx, mevans01@xxxxxxxxx, Marion@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, Mlhagy322morning@xxxxxx, shopp@xxxxxxx, andrew101055@xxxxxxxxx, wesp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, scot52@xxxxxxx, JAMES134@xxxxxxxxxxxx, dioptase@xxxxxxxxx, rwsandmss@xxxxxxxxxxx, TN-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2005 14:01:37 EDT
Hi Folks:
Haze, Hot and High: That's the best way to describe Friday, September 23. The
winds were light and variable, but became calm by afternoon, and the birds
were flying high before noon. Fortunately, some wispy, fluffy clouds started
forming by early afternoon, which gave some backdrop. George Larkins, who used
to
keep the count, showed up to help, and some new birders, John Clonce and Lori
Beth Davidson, proved invaluable in finding and counting hawks in the clear
but hazy morning sky. Visitors included Stan and Elizabeth Pierce, Bobby and
Faith Anderson, Wayne Brickey, and Caldwell Brickey. Violet Larkins, who is no
longer able to climb to the tower, keep a lonely vigil beside her car at the
gap.
On Saturday, September 24, while Bill Grisgby and I manned the Bristol Bird
Club display at the Mendota Hawk Festival, George Larkins, Bob Quillen and
Violent Larkins continued the count. Donna and Tina Linkous helped out for a
while.
Early winds were moderate, gusty, and variable from E/SE, then E/NE. There
were haze and high clouds with bright sun early. Clouds gradually moved in and
by late afternoon, the sky was mostly cloudy. The temperature was in the low to
mid-70s. During the afternoon, George and Violent picked up another
Peregrine Falcon and an adult Bald Eagle.
Meanwhile back at the Mendota Hawk Festival: While listening to the beautiful
music of Bill Clifton, we spotted an immature Bald Eagle flying over the Hawk
Festival area. Many of those in attendance got to see the bird soaring around
the sun directly overhead. Nice touch for the festival, and good timing on
the part of the eagle!
Species: 9-23-05 9-24-05
Year-to-Date
Northern Harrier - -
2
Broad-winged Hawk 685 75
6151
Coopers Hawk 3 1
14
Am. Bald Eagle 1 2
6
Osprey - -
20
Am. Kestrel 1 -
3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 3
13
Red-shouldered Hawk - -
1
Peregrine Falcon - 1
2
Other: Red-headed WP: - -
2
Man Hours: 37
If you didn't attend the Festival, you missed out on great fellowship, yummy
food, wonderful old time music, apple butter making, craft sales, and a neat
car show.
The Mendota Fire Tower is located atop Clinch Mountain, on the
Washington-Russell County line, about three miles north of Mendota, VA.
Ron Harrington
Bristol, VA
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