Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch
Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 28, 2006
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
BV 0 0 0
TV 0 0 0
OS 1 20 189
BE 0 6 62
NH 4 22 54
SS 73 877 1380
CH 1 114 190
NG 0 2 2
RS 3 33 38
BW 0 244 14342
RT 106 324 369
RL 0 0 0
GE 0 1 3
AK 2 99 183
ML 2 10 13
PG 2 8 51
UA 0 4 6
UB 1 7 12
UF 0 2 4
UE 0 0 1
UR 0 5 16
Total: 195 1778 16915
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 14:30:00
Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Brenda Tekin
Observers: Vic Laubach
Weather:
Initially, rain was in the forecast for most of the morning so it was an
unexpectant but pleasant surprise to see the sun at sunrise and blue sky
inbetween darker clouds blowing eastward. Long list of chores were put on
hold once again with anticipation of a decent flight after a full day of
rain.
Strong wind advisory was posted and it was howling at the higher
elevation. Trees were bent over and resistance felt walkng against the
winds. At times the "howling of the wind" was more like the drone of
plane engines. Several stronger gusts estimated at 45-50mph!
Blue sky and sunshine prevailed with brief periods of darker clouds
pushing through on the brisk SW to W winds.
Temp: morning high of 17c and dropping throughout the day to 11.5c by 2:30
EST. (It was downright chilly with wind chill.
Humidity: 47% dropping to 46%;
Visibility: 30+ miles;
Raptor Observations:
WHEeeeeeeeee! After a day of rain, the birds were on the move and I mean
they were moving! Then again, it was more like take a few steps forward,
get blown back (literally blown backwards!, then try going forward again.
And that was the Red-tails!! Imagine the smaller Sharp-shinns trying to
fly in such extreme winds. Most just gave it up and zipped out across the
gap going sideways. A decent showing of Red-tails (some coming in small
groups of 4-6 at a time) and a very impressive flight of Sharp-shinns for
so late in the season.
In fact, we had a nice variety for late October although no eagles.
Several impressive records have been set/shattered this season.
Osprey - one late showing today brings season's total to 189, well above
15-year average of 131, best season since 1999 (209) and 4th highest
season overall.
Northern Harrier - the four today, that included one adult male, one
immature and two adult female, put us just above the 15-year average
(49).
Bald Eagle: 62 to date, well above 15-year average of (29), and setting
highest season count!
Sharp-shinned: 1380 to date, well above 15-year average of 786, best
season since 1990 (1431) and 5th highest season count in 31 years!
American Kestrel: 183 to date, well above 15-year average of 94, best
season since 196 (260) and 2nd highest season count in 31 years!
Merlin - two today, including one taking a swipe at a sharp-shinned.
Peregrine Falcon: 51 to date, shattering 15-year average of 17, and
setting highest season count! Have other sites noted an increase this
season? One came in relatively close today, crossing the gap sideways.
Web link to pic:
http://home.ntelos.net/~btkin/rockfish_gap_hawk_watch/link_pages/PeregrineFalcon4_link.htm
Non-raptor Observations:
duck (3 distant flyers heading SE)
Fish Crow - several large flocks, including one with approximately 54
heading E across the gap.
Cedar Waxwing - several flocks, including one impressive flock of 100+
Swirling masses of leaves!!!
Predictions:
partly cloudy and breezy
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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
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