Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 25, 2007
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
BV 0 0 0
TV 0 0 0
OS 0 1 1
BE 0 3 3
NH 0 0 0
SS 0 9 9
CH 0 0 0
NG 0 0 0
RS 1 1 1
BW 13 54 54
RT 0 1 1
RL 0 0 0
GE 0 1 1
AK 1 2 2
ML 0 0 0
PG 0 0 0
UA 0 0 0
UB 0 0 0
UF 0 0 0
UE 0 0 0
UR 0 0 0
Total: 15 72 72
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 14:00:00
Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Brenda Tekin
Observers: Jennifer Gaden, Vic Laubach
Weather:
Down in Charlottesville 22 miles to the SE, walking outside was like
stepping into the bayous of the deep south. The humidity was oppressive and
even metal felt damp. Luckily at the higher elevation it was noticeably
cooler, at least in the shade.
A stiff West wind, 12-19km/h for most of the day, until approaching storm
cells began rolling into the region by 1:15 p.m. EST when winds died off to
1-5 km/h.
Temp: 29.5c<28.5c>30.5;
Humidity: 64%>70%<61%>75%;
Bar.Pressure: 1013;
Cloud Cover: zero clouds most of the day. By 1 p.m. EST, a few began to
move in from the S. First storm cell by 1:30 p.m. and increasing clouds.
Very hazy to east and west and thin veil of haze overhead.
By 2 p.m. EST the increasing storm clouds rolling in from the south moving
out over the Piedmont to our east were producing rain, thunder and
lightning. By the time we loaded up gear and opened vehicle driver's door,
heavy rains fell. Driving down the east side of the mountain, heavy rains
fell with an occasional lightening bolt brightening up the sky. Storms
rolled through the region most of the night, some producing significant and
much needed rain in Charlottesville.
Raptor Observations:
The heat and haze seems to have affected the birds as well. Most of the
Broad-wings were lazily milling around to our north. About an hour after
observing a group of 3 Broadwing to the NE, three were located to the west
over Waynesboro. Same three? Quite possibly. Minutes later the three
were observed dropping low between two low ridges to the west. About 20
minutes later three were seen flying to the SW and counted. These in all
liklihood were the same three observed to the NW at least 1.5 hours
earlier! Several were observed heading northward or dropping down into the
trees and were not included in the day's count.
A Red-shouldered Hawk was observed circling and moving up and down the
north ridge before it finally set wings and sailed off on east side of the
ridge heading south. The American Kestrel flew in low, lazily circling,
slowly approaching the observers, providing good views before it finally
set its wings and headed south.
Non-raptor Observations:
Eastern Kingbird - one flew by close;
Hummingbird: - 3
Monarch Butterfly - 2
Common Raven - it's not uncommon to observe them at the site.
Predictions:
Cooler temps and clearer skies.
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Report submitted by Brenda Tekin (bt8x@xxxxxxxxxxxx)
Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA information may be found at:
http://home.ntelos.net/~btkin/rockfish_gap_hawk_watch
