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Mt. Pisgah, NC Hawkwatch -- 22 Sept. 2001



	WELCOME TO THE MOUNT PISGAH, NC HAWK WATCH REPORT -- FALL 2001
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Today's Date: 22 Sept. 2001
Hours of coverage today: 9 -- 6 (9 hours)

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Species		     Today     Season Total
              
Black Vulture		0		8
Turkey Vulture  	0		0		 
Osprey 			0	       12					
Bald Eagle 		1		4			
Northern Harrier 	2		2
Sharp-shinned H. 	5	       14	
Cooper's H. 		0	        9
Red-shouldered H.	1		2
Broad-winged H.       121	     1210	
Red-tailed H.		0		5
American Kestrel 	5	       20	
Merlin 			0		1
Peregrine Falcon 	1	        1
unidentified raptors 	4	       10	

TOTALS		      140	     1298	

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Note that only birds showing definite migratory movements are counted. 
Many local raptors and vultures observed at the site are not mentioned
in this report.
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Today's counts were made by:  Bill Sanderson and a host of others

Today's weather:  Mostly cloudy; good visibility but no winds made for a
pleasant but relatively slow day. 

Comments:  Today's "Raptor Day" event was a great success despite the
meager number of birds.  Among other highlights was a close look at the
season's first Peregrine, as well as the season's first 2 Harriers. 
Many people stopped to look at the displays and to watch for migrants. 
Helping with the spotting and counting were Bev and Art Hudson, Greg
Townsend, Bob Wilson, Reece Mitchell, Tom Joyce, Tim Lewis and Lori
Unruh, Ray and Sandy Sharpton, my AP Biology classes, a birding tour
from the Wild Bird Center in Charlotte, assorted spouses and friends. 
The birds trickled by all day, with the biggest group of Broad-wings
(51) passing just after noon.  Everyone saw at least a few birds, and a
good time was had by all.  Thanks to all of you who helped!

Other migrants noted today:  The overlook was *loaded* with passerines
this morning, including good looks at several Wilson's and Bay-breasted
warblers, Blue-winged Warbler, at least 7 other warbler/vireo species,
and gaggles of grosbeaks.  By late afternoon many Green Darners were
crossing the gap; hundreds per hour.  Monarch numbers were low but
steady at about 15 per hour throughout the day. 

The outlook for tomorrow: poor

Next scheduled coverage: N/A

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Reported By:
	Bill Sanderson, Site Coordinator
	Asheville, NC
	nctigers@bellsouth.net
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Site Description:
	The Mount Pisgah Hawk Watch, begun in 1995, is located at the Mills
River Valley overlook, mile 404.6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  At an
elevation of 4085 feet, it is approx. three miles north of Mount Pisgah,
and approx. 11 miles south of the city of Asheville, NC.  The watch site
is staffed by volunteer counters on an irregular basis throughout the
fall migration season; most often on weekday afternoons and weekends,
weather permitting.  The site is handicapped friendly, and
gas/food/lodging are available at the Pisgah Inn complex, approx. three
miles south on the Parkway.  Visitors are always welcomed, and new
volunteer watchers are always needed.  Contact Bill Sanderson
(nctigers@bellsouth.net) for more information.  
	
	The Mount Pisgah Hawk Watch is an unfunded volunteer effort.  
All data obtained are submitted to the Hawk Migration Association of
North America (HMANA).  Other fall hawk watch sites in this region
include the Caesar's Head State Park Hawk Watch in upstate South
Carolina, the Mahogany Rock Hawk Watch on the Blue Ridge Parkway near
Sparta, NC and the Pilot Mountain State Park Hawk Watch in Surry County,
NC.
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I am the Eagle, I live in high country,
	In rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky.
I am the Hawk, and there's blood on my feathers
	But time is still turning, they soon will be dry.
All those who see me, and all who believe in me, 
	Share in the freedom I feel when I fly!
				John Denver
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