"Soddy Mountain hawk totals
Sun., Oct. 28, 2018
Coverage (all times EST):
1030-1600 = 5.5 hrs.
Counter: Bill Haley
Weather: Clouds 10% @1030, staying at 10%-20% until 1430 when they reached 70%. At 1500 they were back to 25%. Wind SSW 5-10 from 1030-1400. At that point wind shifted to SW 10-20, with occasional stronger gusts to 25 mph. Temperature 55 - 73 F. Barometric pressure 30.10, gradually decreasing to 29.94. Humidity 74%-47%. Visibility 20 K and hazy @ 1030, 45K @ 1200, 60K @ 1400.
Raptors: ( all times EST):
1000: 0
1100: SS 3, CH 1, RT 1
1200: SS 6, CH 1,
1300: TV 27, SS 10, RT 5
1400: TV 32, NH 1, SS 8
1500: TV 7, NH 1, SS 3
Raptor totals:
10/28/18
Turkey Vulture 66
Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned 30
Cooper's 2
Red-tailed 6
________________
Total raptors = 106
An interesting afternoon! Sharp-shinned flight was steady from 1:00-3:00. After the wind shifted and increased in strength, things became difficult for all the hawks. They were forced to stay low, or battle the wind, which was really strong and gusting, coming across the ridge.
At 3:30 I spotted a little sharpie to the west of the lookout. It made the mistake of getting considerable altitude and was caught in the stiff wind. It literally blew sideways across the lookout until it was well over the valley to the east, at least a quarter mile away. It was headed the right direction, but going sideways instead of straight ahead. Pretty funny to see! I felt a little sorry for it. The two late Northern Harriers really had a tough time making any headway as well.
Other sightings: Chimney Swift 4; Monarch 3; male Eastern Fence Lizard on rock at edge of bluff. (Second time I've seen it this fall).
Reporting: William G. Haley, Jr."
Vultures love the wind. One of the few migrants which benefit from it. But anything that is determined to migrate at this point may attempt to make headway, in spite of the difficulties.
So Glad to add 30 more Sharpies!
If you can, get out there, and help us
KEEP LOOKING UP!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment