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Mt. Pisgah, NC Hawkwatch -- 09/24/00



	WELCOME TO THE MOUNT PISGAH, NC HAWK WATCH REPORT -- FALL 2000
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Today's Date: 24 Sep 2000
Hours of coverage today: 9-5:30 (7.5 hours)

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Species		     Today     Season Total
              
Black Vulture ..........0.............14		
Turkey Vulture .........0..............0 			 
Osprey .................0..............8				
Bald Eagle .............0..............3				
Northern Harrier .......0..............3	
Sharp-shinned H. .......2.............12	
Cooper's H. ............1..............7
Red-shouldered H. ......0..............1	
Broad-winged H. .......12...........1600
Red-tailed H. ..........1..............5
American Kestrel .......1.............15
Merlin .................0..............0
Peregrine Falcon .......1..............2
unidentified raptors ...2..............6

TOTALS.................20............1674

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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: Ray and Sandy Sharpton, Bill Sanderson,
Athena Anderson, Bob Wilson, Greg Townsend, with assistance from a host
of visitors.

Today's weather: Partly cloudy most of the day.  Light NW winds
switching to SW late.  A large rainstorm shut us down from 4 to 5 pm.
Visibility was excellent.

Comments: A phenomenally disappointing day, with far more hawk watchers
than hawks.  The "Raptor Day" display was well received by a large
number of visitors; congratulations to the students that made it a
success.  Despite the low numbers, the trickle was steady, and I believe
that everyone who watched with us saw at least a few birds, even if they
were locals.  The highlight had to be the close fly-by by a Peregrine
just moments before the rain began at 4:00.  A visitor that had come
from Caesar's Head, SC reported good numbers there both today and
yesterday.  At least someone in the region was in the right spot today. 
"The birds have to be somewhere, they just don't have to be here".  

Other migrants noted today:  A few Monarchs.  A nice bunch of warblers
just after the rain stopped (Magnolia, Tennessee, Blk-thd Green,
Chestnut-sided, and Blackburnian), along with the best rainbow I've seen
in many years.

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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