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Mt. Pisgah, NC Hawkwatch -- 30 September



	WELCOME TO THE MOUNT PISGAH, NC HAWK WATCH REPORT -- FALL 2001
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Today's Date: 30 Sept. 2001 
Hours of coverage today:  9 AM -- 3 PM  (5.5 hours)

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Species		     Today     Season Total
              
Black Vulture		0		16
Turkey Vulture  	0		 6		 
Osprey 			0		13 			
Bald Eagle 		1		 5		
Northern Harrier 	1		 3
Sharp-shinned H. 	5		20 
Cooper's H.  		0		12
Red-shouldered H.	0		 2
Broad-winged H. 	2	      1231 	
Red-tailed H.		2		 9
American Kestrel 	4		25
Merlin 			0		 2
Peregrine Falcon 	0		 1
unidentified raptors 	2		13

TOTALS		       19	      1330		

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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, Athena Anderson, Bob
Wilson, Barry Hinderstein

Today's weather:  Cool, brisk NW wind, little cloud cover. 

Comments:  A rather steady dribble of birds throughout the day.  The
highlight had to be the very close immature Bald Eagle that popped up
over the Parkway and soared for about a minute before gliding out and
away toward the coast.  It was headed in the direction of Caesar's Head
when last seen, so if you guys in SC saw and immature eagle around 12
o'clock, you're welcome!
	
Other migrants noted today:  At least three Red-headed Woodpeckers and
numerous Flicker and Blue Jay.  A very few monarchs, and no
dragonflies.  Small passerines were moving in limited numbers throughout
the morning; several Grosbeaks and one Scarlet Tanager among the
unidentifiable warblers.  Chimney Swifts still hanging around in flocks
of up to 15.  One Black-billed Cuckoo heard in the early AM.  

The outlook for tomorrow:  Good, with continuing N-NW winds, but little
chance for cloud cover.

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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