Mendota Fire Tower
Mendota, VA, Virginia, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 21, 2019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 2 4 4
Bald Eagle 4 12 12
Northern Harrier 0 0 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 7 7
Cooper's Hawk 1 2 2
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 1 1
Broad-winged Hawk 2044 4117 4117
Red-tailed Hawk 3 3 3
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 2 2 2
American Kestrel 1 1 1
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2
Unknown Accipiter 1 1 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 2 2 2
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 1 1 1
Total: 2064 4155 4155
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Meade
Observers: George Larkin, Larry McDaniel, Rob Biller, Susan Greear
Visitors:
Rachel and Will from England, Patty and Clay
Weather:
Weatherâphone report Gate City and Castlewood ----the weather channel
Temperature changed from approx. 65 degree F to 80 degree F from 8am
through 5pm EST
Cloud cover changed from approx. 2% to 33% to 5 % as day progressed, with
hazy conditions throughout.
Wind from 3-5 mph SE shifted to WNW and NE and speed was fairly steady
throughout day.
Raptor Observations:
Hawk flight during the day began well below eye level- (first bird was
sighted by George Larkins at 8:44 EST) and proceeded to easily unaided eye
viewing through 12-1 hour EST. By 1:00EST hawk flight was only visible
with binoculars. Most birds were seen on south side of Clinch Mountain or
directly overhead. One large kettle was observed during the 3-4 EST hour
very far out toward the south. Direction of travel was from NE toward SW,
generally following the Clinch Mountain topography.
Looking at the number pattern from morning through afternoon; and
considering that at the 5:00EST flight was still VERY high, binocular
viewing only, several migrants were probably missed due to their flight
altitude and our lack of seeing them.
Count by hour EST
8-9EST BW=15
9-10EST BW=187, sharp shin=1,
10-11EST BW=631, osprey =1, red-tail=1, kestrel=1, unknown accipter=1
11-12EST BW= 908, sharp shin=1, red shoulder=1, red tail=1, osprey=1,
unknown falcon=2, bald eagle=1
12-1 EST BW=157, red tail=1, golden eagle=1,
1-2 EST BW=19, golden eagle=1, bald eagle=2
2-3 EST BW=3, bald eagle=1, cooper hawk=1
3-4EST BW=76
4-5 EST BW=48, unknown raptor=1
Non-raptor Observations:
Several dragonflies were observed today. A total of 39 monarchs were
recorded. Vocalization of yellow-throated vireo was noticed by Rob Biller.
Local ravens entertained with vocalizations and acrobatics throughout the
afternoon. A variety of chimney swifts were visible during the afternoon
along with the tower regulars Turkey and Black Vultures.
We had a great team of observers: Susan Greear, George Larkins, Rob Biller
Teresa Hutson, Larry McDaniel, Michele Sparks, Harry Norman, John Clonce,
Chuck and Veronica Ratliff, and Kerwin Fulton.
Predictions:
Weather conditions should be favorable for hawk movements and more are in
the "pipeline".
========================================================================
Report submitted by Ronald Eugene Harrington (roneharrin@xxxxxxx)
More site information at hawkcount.org:
http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=706