Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
20 Miles West of Leesburg, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 07, 2003
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 1 17 30
Bald Eagle 6 19 25
Northern Harrier 2 3 8
Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 15 17
Cooper's Hawk 2 5 6
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1
Broad-winged Hawk 68 137 165
Red-tailed Hawk 9 20 20
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 2 4 4
Merlin 0 1 2
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown 0 0 0
Total: 102 224 280
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Jesse Fulton
Observers: BJ Westervelt, Bev Leeuwenburg, Ian Topolsky, Mike Reyman
Visitors:
John & Deb Dennis, Laddy Topolsky, Doug Poffenberger, Larry Hopson, Jack
& Paula Sullivan and Rich Reiger (nice to meet you).
Weather:
Another day of favorable skies up at the Gap. Overall winds were light
out of the W-WNW until they petered out in the 4 o'clock hour.
Observations:
Today brought us quite a good mix of species (8 in all) and our highest
daily total to date. The major portion of birds that passed through were
being picked up extremely high and far out, especially towards late
afternoon.
Most notable show of the day was Bev's futile wrestling
match with one of the more complicated products of modern technology- a
folding lawnchair... After a 5+ minute struggle Jesse came to the rescue
and, being the courteous gentleman that he is, also reminded her to make
sure the car was in reverse for a trouble-free exit out of the lot.
Other sightings included: Numerous Cedar Waxwings, 200+ Chimney Swifts,
1 female Scarlet Tanager, 9 Ravens, 1 BE headed N, 8 Ruby-throated
Hummers, 1 male Baltimore Oriole, 1 male Pileated, numerous TVs/BVs
(including 1 kettle of 30+), etc.
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Report submitted by Ian Topolsky (ict_earth@xxxxxxxxx)
Snickers Gap Hawkwatch was established in 1990. It is located in northern
Virginia, on the Clarke and Loudoun County line. It is reached by taking VA
Route 7 to the county line, which runs atop the ridge at Snickers Gap. On the
south side of Route 7 is a commuter parking lot. The count is conducted from
there. It is a volunteer site, and is counted in fall only, from late August
until late November or early December. There are no facilities at the site, so
bring a snack, drinks, and a chair. Many of the birds can be distant, and a
scope is helpful.
As a volunteer site, we are always looking to increase our pool of
counters. We are eager to train those who have never counted, but are skilled
with hawk identification. We are also willing to pair inexperienced observers
with experienced counters. Please contact the compiler, Todd Day, at
blkvulture@xxxxxxx with any questions or if you are interested in participating
in the count.
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