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Mt. Pisgah, NC Hawkwatch -- 16 Sept. 2001



	WELCOME TO THE MOUNT PISGAH, NC HAWK WATCH REPORT -- FALL 2001
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Today's Date: 16 Sept. 2001
Coverage:  15-16 Sept. (18 hours)

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Species		    15/16 Sept.     Season Total
              
Black Vulture		
Turkey Vulture  			 
Osprey			    5		   11
Bald Eagle 		    1    	    3					
Northern Harrier 	
Sharp-shinned H. 	    5               7
Cooper's H. 		    2		    6
Red-shouldered H.	    1               1
Broad-winged H. 	  169		  219
Red-tailed H.		    5		    5
American Kestrel 	    8		   12
Merlin 			    1		    1
Peregrine Falcon 
unidentified raptors        1		    4 

TOTALS			  197		  269

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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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Comments:  A pretty disappointing weekend, with persistent southeast
winds all day Saturday and into Sunday afternoon.  As the winds shifted
to the WNW late Sunday, things began to pick up with several nice
kettles of Broad-wings and a nice immature Bald Eagle, among others.    
One highlight of the weekend was the pair of Great horned Owls seen late
Saturday afternoon.  These birds were heard calling several hundred
yards away from the overlook, and were mouth-called to the edge of the
overlook by Bob Wilson!   
Thanks to all of the folks who helped with the spotting this weekend: 
Bob Wilson, Ray Sharpton, Greg Townsend, Bev and Art Hudson, Athena
Anderson, Sonja Lynn, Jonathan Fisher, Mary McDaniel and David whose
last name I forgot to record, Beth and David Rupp, and Janie Owens.

"Raptor Day", our public-education event, will take place Saturday, 22
Sept., 9 AM -- 5 PM.  My biology class will be there with posters and
other things.  Come out if you can.  Lets hope it will be our turn for
big numbers!  

Other migrants noted today: Lots of passerines, including many grosbeaks
and Blue-headed Vireos.  Two flocks of cormorants were also seen. 

The outlook for tomorrow: Good, with northerly winds continuing until
late tomorrow.

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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