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Today and Yesterday at the Pisgah Hawkwatch...10/1 and 10/2/99



The weather for the past 2 days has been perfect...too perfect.  Blue
skies, the hawkwathers bane, have been the name of the game, meaning
that by 11:30 Broad-winged Hawks and other high-fliers are literally
impossible to see.

Despite the tough viewing, a good number of birds were spotted.  The
accipiters are beginning to move in good numbers, and with the
persistent southeasterly winds have given us lots of long, delightful
looks.

TOTALS

10/1
Hours: 4 (2-6 pm)
Osprey -- 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk -- 3
Cooper's Hawk -- 2
Broad-winged Hawk -- 64
Am. Kestrel -- 2



10/2
Hours -- 3 (10 am - 1 pm)
Sharp-shinned Hawk -- 5
Cooper's Hawk -- 2
Broad-winged Hawk -- 42
Red-tailed Hawk -- 1 
Am. Kestrel -- 2

Butterflies:  Monarchs moving both days at 40 - 50 per hour.  Sulphurs
at approx. 10 - 20 per hour.

Other birds of note:  On 10/1 we were treated to a flock of Dbl-crested
Cormorants -- 35 in a nice V approx. 3,000 feet above valley floor. 
Several orioles, also on 10/1.  Warbler numbers around the overlook
continue to be good. Lots of migrating jays this morning (about 45 in 3
hours).

Thanks to Ray Sharpton, Barry and Carro Hinderstein, Joan and Ken Cope,
Bet Fontaine, and Lindsey from the Cradle of Forestry for helping out.

Bill Sanderson
Asheville, NC
nctigers@bellsouth.net