The College Creek Hawkwatch has finished its 2005 season. It's located on
the James River near Williamsburg and is sponsored by Coastal Virginia
Wildlife
Observatory. It's the only regularly operated late winter and spring
hawkwatch in Virginia. The information is turned in to the Hawk Migration
Association of North America for their global database. Special thanks to
regular
volunteers Tom Armour, Bill Williams and Fred Blystone, who were a great help.
Thanks to the dedicated volunteers, we increased coverage to the most days
(79) and most hours (133) in the 9-year history of the count. The previous
highs were 71 and 127 respectively. The station operated from February 5th to
May
30th. The usual count period is between about 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. as the
birds generally move across the river on the first warming air of the day.
We also tallied the most birds at 1445. Previous highs were 1414 in 2003 and
1368 in 1997.
Species totals are as follows:
Black Vulture 55 (3rd highest)
Turkey Vulture 852 (2nd highest)
Osprey 155 (highest)
Bald Eagle 81 (2nd highest)
Harrier 40 (2nd highest)
Sharp-shin 99 (2nd highest)
Cooper's 41 (highest)
Red-shouldered 2 (2nd lowest)
Broad-winged 34 (highest)
Red-tailed 65 (2nd highest)
Am. Kestrel 15 (tied for lowest, despite the heavy coverage)
Merlin 5 (highest)
The birds per hour rate of 11 is right on the average for the site. Cooper's
Hawks were much more evident than in any previous season. The Red-shouldered
numbers were low, but they are rarely seen migrating past the site.The
American Kestrel total is disturbingly low and reflects the downward trend
that
fall sites have been experiencing lately.
If anyone wants further details, please contact me off the List Serve.
Brian Taber
CVWO
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
