Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 24, 2004
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 16 184 202
Bald Eagle 3 59 66
Northern Harrier 2 33 35
Sharp-shinned Hawk 36 277 282
Cooper's Hawk 11 76 88
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 17 17
Broad-winged Hawk 25 3261 3371
Red-tailed Hawk 1 52 66
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 7 50 54
Merlin 0 6 6
Peregrine Falcon 2 2 2
Unknown 2 25 25
Total: 106 4042 4214
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 14:45:00
Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Ian Topolsky
Observers: BJ Westervelt
Visitors:
Alan Schrek- 1, Elliot ? - 1, Harry Gurkin- 1, Leslie ? -1, completely
unidentified visitor- 1.
Weather:
We had clouds today (65-80%), I kid you not. And as if that wasn't enough
to get us dancing around and speaking in tongues, we also had East winds
(2+ Beaufort, with a couple lulls). High Temp was 75F.
Observations:
Our first (and second) Peregrine of the season, in a tie with Sep 24 1994
for latest "first-seen" date. Precisely a decade ago...
Another decent flight of Osprey, none packin' a lunch.
Bald Eagle breakdown: 2- 1st yr birds, 1- adult bird.
Blue Jays were definitely on the move, over 500 came through in the first
half of the day.
Blue Jay- 545, Yellow-shafted Flicker- 8, Red-headed Woodpecker- 2,
Pileated Woodpecker- 1, Red-bellied- 2, Hairy- 1, Chimney Swift- 23, Cedar
Waxwing- 42, American Crow- 15, Common Raven- 5, Magnolia Warbler- 2,
Mockingbird- 1, Monarchs- 11.
Predictions:
I think I'm ready to let bygones be bygones and forgive the Eightball for
last Sunday.
"Shall we start over fresh"?
"AS I SEE IT, YES" It is done...
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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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