Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 26, 2007
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
BV 0 0 0
TV 0 0 0
OS 2 3 3
BE 4 7 7
NH 0 0 0
SS 1 10 10
CH 0 0 0
NG 0 0 0
RS 0 1 1
BW 7 61 61
RT 0 1 1
RL 0 0 0
GE 0 1 1
AK 0 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: 14 86 86
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Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Multiple Counters
Observers: Brenda Tekin, Mark Johnson, Vic Laubach
Visitors:
Nelson Lewis
Weather:
Thankfully things improved by 2 p.m. EST. Morning was a completely
different story. Mark Johnson from Lynchburg area arrived first to find it
completely overcast and a low fog rolling across I-64, blowing up out of
the valley on a steady NW wind. The high humidity (86%) and intermittent
light rain probably explains why, except for two Turkey Vulture flying over
heading west early on, no raptors (none, nada, zilch...) were observed
during the morning. By 11:30 a.m. everyone packed it up with hopes of
returning if conditions improved.
Brisk NW wind, 12-22km/h shifted to west, diminishing to 5-8 km/h and more
southerly flow by 11:30. Winds shifted back to NW by 2 p.m. at 1-5 km/h.
Temp: a.m.: 24c dropping to 22.5c climbing up to 25.5 in late afternoon;
Humidity: 76% increasing to 86% in morning; constant at 76-75% in
afternoon.
Morning completely overcast with low fog and light rain; afternoon partly
cloudy to less than 15% cloud cover then more clouds rolling in with
approaching storm.
Raptor Observations:
As noted in weather summary, nothing, not even the local vultures were
flying around all morning. Thanks to Vic Laubach who returned in the
afternoon, joined by Nelson Lewis. Afternoon things picked up with
highlight of four Bald Eagle. We're off to a great season and may very
well be another record setter.
Adult BAEA, first spotted by Nelson Lewis. 2nd adult and 4th year flying
together; 10 minutes later a 1st year.
Non-raptor Observations:
Morning observers were at least treated to a few interesting sightings:
Chipping Sparrows - A small flock presumed to be a family group consisting
of at least 3 recent fledglings still begging for food;
Black-throated Green Warbler
Prairie Warbler - adult male;
Hooded Warbler - 1st fall female in close proximity to the Prairie;
Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 observed flying into trees near skating rink.
This could very well be an early record;
Cormorant, presumably Double-crested, heading east - this could also be an
early record setter;
Common Nighthawk - 4;
Hackberry Emperor Butterfly - taking shelter on east facing window
providing great views. Photographed.
Predictions:
Anyone's guess!
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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
