Snickers Gap Hawkwatch 2007
(This is an invitation to able-bodied, stalwart souls able to assist with
monitoring the hawk migration at this site.)
Location: Snickers Gap, Virginia is a cut in the eastern-most ridge of the
Appalachian mountains west of Washington, D.C. The hawkwatch is located on
Route 7 about twenty miles west of Leesburg and about 45 minutes from the D.C.
beltway. It’s one link in the chain of hawk monitoring sites along the eastern
U.S. mountains.
History: Since the early 1990s Snickers Gap volunteers have recorded the
birds of prey flying south over the site. Fifteen species of raptors have been
observed at Snickers and a good number of other birds can be seen in passage,
too. Loons, swans, and thousands of songbirds have been noted here. September
is a great month to see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Monarch Butterflies
migrating. The specialty of the site is, of course, the raptors. In one good
year we had up to 19,000 Broad-winged Hawks fly over in one day. The middle of
September is the best time of the year to view this phenomenon. The
Broad-wings are one of the more common early fall species with some of the
southern
sites in Texas counting several hundred thousand birds in one day. We also see
Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Golden Eagles, and Goshawks, to name a few
of the more sought after birds. The average total hawk migrants counted each
fall is 12,000 birds. We count from early September through late November.
Interests: At Snickers Gap, many people come by to get their first looks at
birds of prey. The fact that the site is located right off of a well-traveled
road has promoted many long time passers-by to stop in, ask a few questions,
and in some cases, evolve into one of the regulars. The site is stranger
friendly, parking is abundant and there is a direct link by trail to the
famous
Appalachian Trail, right in the parking lot. Most locals are familiar with “
The Bear’s Den” a group of huge west facing boulders on the trail. The Bear’
s Den sits high over the valley to the west, and affords a beautiful western
view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Information: If you are interested to learn more about different species of
hawks and other raptors, and would be interested to help us monitor some of
our most interesting species of birds, please consider a visit to the site and
consider assisting the count. If the idea seems a bit intimidating please
feel free to call Joan Boudreau or Bob Abrams at 703/734-1238; we’ll give you
confidence and further information. Field trips through MOS, ANS & VSO tend to
be scheduled in September and October if that introduction is more
appealing. Perhaps you’ll be hooked after your first visit. We welcome all
ages and
are willing to work with you to try to arrange for co-counting partners, if
desired.
Supplies: Binoculars, a spotting scope, a comfortable folding chair and food
are some of the highly recommended supplies to bring with you for a relaxing
day of birding. Warm clothes are also good to have along. The weather at
1100 feet can be quite different from the warmer valleys below.
Directions: The Snickers Gap Hawkwatch is located in a parking lot on the
south side of Route 7 at the junction of Route 7 and Route 601. Take Route 7
west from the Washington, D.C. beltway, and west from Leesburg for twenty
miles. At the top of a long hill, just past Bluemont, Virginia, take a left
onto
Route 601 South. Take an immediate right up to the Snickers Gap Hawkwatch
parking lot. If you see people with binoculars and scopes, you have found us.
We
generally count from 9am to 5pm. Over the years we’ve heard from individuals
who don’t find counters when they come up to visit. We apologize but try to
man the site as much as possible. We are all volunteers and most of us have
other lives, so are only able to cover the site one day a week at most.
Please let this be an inspiration to you to help.
Happy Hawk Watching!
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