Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
20 Miles West of Leesburg, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 21, 2005
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 8 142 151
Bald Eagle 2 64 74
Northern Harrier 0 21 24
Sharp-shinned Hawk 23 327 332
Cooper's Hawk 6 59 59
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 21 22
Broad-winged Hawk 112 2721 2783
Red-tailed Hawk 0 66 70
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 4 68 69
Merlin 1 12 12
Peregrine Falcon 0 4 4
Unknown 3 27 27
Total: 161 3532 3627
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Ian Topolsky
Observers: Joan Boudreau and Bob Abrams, Lad Topolsky
Visitors:
Bob Blakeney, Barbara & John Perry, Chuck Studholm, Greg Baruffi. Derek
Moore popped in for a spot of tea (and peach pie) w/ Bob & Joan.
Weather:
I might have seen a cloud in the first hour, but my memory is a little
hazy...
Winds were out of the NW at 1-2 for starters, slowly diminishing as they
wrapped around to the E by close. Temps topped off in the low 80's.
Raptor Observations:
Broad-wingeds have withdrawn the blade and are now pouring salt on the
open wound...
When it becomes hard to hold on to a kettle of 7 Bald Eagles
(practically overhead and in view for 15 mins), bad thoughts do inevitably
creep in. And while I'd like nothing more than to sweep BWs under the
carpet (out of sight, out of mind), a few tantalizing reports from up
north taunt me.
Bald Eagle breakdown: 1- 2nd yr bird, 1- adult bird.
The adult bird met up with the Bumpis family (6 locals) in the 1 o'
clock hour. Pa was carrying the shotgun while Ma raised hell and the kids
escorted him out...
None of the Osprey that passed were packing a lunch.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions:
I predict that I won't be up at Snickers.
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Report submitted by Ian Topolsky (ict_earth@xxxxxxxxx)
Site Description:
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.
Directions to site:
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