Mendota Fire Tower
Mendota, VA, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 21, 2016
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 2 2
Bald Eagle 0 2 2
Northern Harrier 1 3 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 10 10
Cooper's Hawk 1 5 5
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1026 2257 2257
Red-tailed Hawk 4 7 7
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 1 4 4
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 1 1 1
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 1036 2295 2295
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 3 hours
Official Counter: Ron Harrington
Observers: Bill Grigsby, Gary Bailey, Matt Fleenor, Mike Sanders
Weather:
Another sunny day with mostly clear skies. Light haze. Log valley fog in
the am. Visibility 20+. Wind was light (5-10 mph)and variable. Steady out
of the North until about 11:00 then shifted to the E/NE. Temperature ranged
from a low of 67 F to a high of 82 F by 2:00 pm. Cloud cover less than 5%
until mid afternoon, then increased to 80% by 4:00 pm.
Raptor Observations:
Beginning at 9:30 EST, we had a fairly steady flow of BWH but most were
beyond unaided vision. The wind out of the North blew the hawks out over
the valley on the Mendota side of the ridge and they were difficult to
spot. Once the wind shifted to the NE/E, then they moved back over the
mountain, but were still flying very high. Things slowed to a crawl between
12:00-2:00, then a huge kettle of about 300 as well as smaller groups
between 2:00 & 3:00. Nothing between 3:00 and 4:00, then 49 more BWH
between 4:00 & 5:00. The PF was seen close to tower.
Non-raptor Observations:
Yellow-throated Vireo, Ruffed Grouse, Magnolia Warbler, Tennessee Warbler
and Indigo Buntings. Large number of Chimney Swifts, and the usual Ravens,
Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures; and 7 Monarch Butterflies.
Predictions:
Should be another good day for hawk movement with clear skies, but with
warmer than normal temperatures. Little chance for rain. High skies & high
temperatures make for high flying hawks!! Be prepared to work hard to find
them!!
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Report submitted by Ronald Eugene Harrington (roneharrin@xxxxxxx)
Site Description:
The Mendota Fire Tower Hawkwatch site is located atop Clinch Mountain at
the abandoned fire tower near Mendota, Virginia. A hawkwatch has been
conducted during fall migration each year since 1958 at this site.
Clinch Mountain is a 150 mile long ridge that runs from near Burke's Garden
in Tazewell County, Virginia to Blaine, Tennessee. It runs generally
Northeast to Southwest and divides the Clinch River drainage to the north
and the Holston River drainage to the south.
The site is on the Russell and Washington County lines and is at an
elevation of 3000 feet As is usual with a fire tower location there is a
360 degree view with Moccasin Valley and Pine Mountain to the North and
Mendota and the Holston River to the south.
Access to this site requires a moderately strenuous 25 minute hike on the
old fire tower access road. There are no facilities so be sure to bring
water, sunscreen, raingear, chair, snacks and lunch and binoculars. There
are no restrooms.
Directions to site:
TRAVELING FROM LEBANON/RICHLANDS/GRUNDY
Take Route 19 towards Abingdon. At Hansonville turn right on Route 58.
Travel 3.3 miles then turn left on Moccasin Valley Road (Route 613). Travel
9.9 miles on Moccasin Valley Road then turn left on Tower Road (County Road
612). Travel 2.7 miles on Tower Road. On the left there will be a rutted
dirt road, park nearby and walk to the tower on the dirt road.
TRAVELING FROM ABINGDON VIRGINIA
Take Route 19 towards Lebanon. After crossing the North Fork Holston River
turn left onto Mendota Road (Route 802). Travel 14.1 miles on Mendota Road.
Turn right onto Pinnacle Road. Travel 3 miles on Pinnacle Road. There will
be a rutted dirt road on the right. Park nearby and walk to the tower on
the rutted dirt road.
TRAVELING FROM BRISTOL, VA
Take Virginia Exit 1 on I-81. Take Route 58/421 towards Gate City, VA. Take
Gate City Highway (Route 58/421) 11 miles then turn right on Route 615.
Travel approximately 6 miles on Route 615 then turn left on Route 614, then
right on Route 802 at MendotaTravel approximately 1 mile on Route 802 then
turn laft on Pinnacle Road. Travel 3 miles on Pinnacle Road. On the right
there will be a rutted dirt road. Park nearby then walk to the tower on the
rutted dirt road.