Thursday, August 14, 2014
Leftovers 2013
Golden Snow VIDEO
Annual Christmas POEM
(Just Below The Above)
Comparative Data for the Last Nine YEARS
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
2013 Summary, etc.
The Year in Review:
2013 was indeed a year to remember: We had the highest total yearly count in the history of the Hawkwatch; the highest single day count of hawks; the highest hourly total; and, the highest total number of Bald Eagles for a year.
The highest total number of hawks for a year prior to this year was 15,398 in 2010. This year the total was 21,221 more than 37% above that total.
The Bald Eagle recovery continued to a new high of 121 this year – the previous high was 104 in 2011.
Baron Gibson's exuberance on 9/18/13 was as straightforward and energetic as he is:
The regular Counters this year were: Joyce Holt, Bill and Katie James, Baron Gibson, Dillard Childress, David Kirk, and Carl Christianson. Somewhat irregular, but very important, counters were David Brunstetter, Matt Hosmer, Allen and Robin Austin, Barry Kinzie, Mike Crowder and Liz Williams.
Regular Observers this year included, but were not limited to: Darryl Martin, Andy Biggs, Eunice Hudgins, Phillip Ferguson, Tina Gibson, Kathy Brett, Jen, Randy Doss, Teresa Kinzie, Al Miller, and Norris Ford. We continue to appreciate assistance from Hollins University and Virginia Western during Broadwing season as well as many other Broadwing week regulars.
On 9/15/13, we had the earliest Golden Eagle on record, an immature.
Eye-balling the current (9 year) record, it looks like many species were below average this year including: Ospreys, Harriers, Sharpies, Kestrels, Merlins and Red Shoulders. Does anyone wonder if the melting permafrost enhances the food supply differentially to the Broadwings?
Is this a graph of BW migration? Click and see:
Nice Redtail-Squirrel Video From Richard E
Let's try wind farming for 30 years and see if there any Eagles left. NOT!
What those Amazon DRONES will be in for (check out the Osprey!)
You don't want to be a young OSPREY!
Harvey's Knob Current
Count
If the National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway, Dept. of the Interior, etc., would let us, we could block off the Overlook and install a pond just for these migrating BIRDS!
Thanksgiving Turkeys HERE!
David B. and the SE OWL
Joyce's Unusual DAY!
Photos of Harvey HERE!
Some Leftovers
Darryl's World Part ONE (Page Down)
Sausage Gravy DAY!
Thanks Barry!!
Immature Golden Eagle at the Knob September 15th, 2013!
Pictures HERE! (Then Page Down)
Also including Carl's Big Day, Mature and Immature Broadwings, a local Redtail, and more!
What scientific measure is used to determine the end of Broadwing
SEASON?
Late 9/16/13 flight - See CATMAN (or Baron on the throne) HERE!
(Then Page Down)
9/17/13 - A Cloudy Day Here!
The Biggest Day EVER!
(Then Page Down)
These high numbers are likely a Result of a new incantation by the small group of Dave and Bill
Jim Hylton's daughter and granddaughter were special visitors to the Knob on this big day.
See if you believe this Osprey's migration with two days and
nights of non-stop FLIGHT!
On to Cuba and then to Venezuela!! Look HERE!
More HERE!
The Osprey has settled in HERE
Some Osprey Behavior
A Flying SONG
September 19, 2012 was the third highest total at Harvey's
since records were begun - 5245!
Hard work for Baron who did an
incredible job! Some saw a BE chasing a PG - a first for many
of us!!!
People kettling up that day:
Barry cordially invites you to a Sausage Gravy Breakfast on
Sunday September 22rd, 2013 at 9-10AM on Harvey's Knob.
Last Year's RESULTS:
The chef prepares:
The Birds arrive:
The Chef's reward:
And we all miss JOHN......
Dillard sharing his knowledge with a through hiker:
(or trying to sell his Jeep.....)
New Revision of a Standard Hawk Book!
A review is HERE!
Another HERE!
The Grand Old Hawkwatch of the South is HERE!
Marriage under the.......BROADWINGS?
Dragonfly RECIPES!
Baron Retires to the Mountain!
Read this very nice ARTICLE about his retirement!
And this ONE!
We will miss Virginia Shields this year, a frequent visitor to, and friend of, Harvey's Knob Hawkwatch and birding in the Roanoke Valley.
2013 was indeed a year to remember: We had the highest total yearly count in the history of the Hawkwatch; the highest single day count of hawks; the highest hourly total; and, the highest total number of Bald Eagles for a year.
The highest total number of hawks for a year prior to this year was 15,398 in 2010. This year the total was 21,221 more than 37% above that total.
The highest single day count prior to this year was 7344 (7313 BW) in 2010. This year was 8449 (8430 BW) on September 18. Rockfish had their fourth highest count on September 17 with 8244 (8202 BW).
The Bald Eagle recovery continued to a new high of 121 this year – the previous high was 104 in 2011.
Baron Gibson's exuberance on 9/18/13 was as straightforward and energetic as he is:
“PHENOMENAL, WOW, once in a lifetime maybe, is how I would describe today's daily record setting count at the watch. With the late flight last night, Tina & myself decided to get to the watch an hour early in hopes of seeing lift off & lift off we saw. Dave Brunstetter was there when we arrived & had already counted 27 BW's. Hawks were observed low in the valley on the west side getting up and streaming out. After an hour of counting (721 counted) the skies cleared just enough for us to see a huge flight come right over the watch sometimes 10-15 wide streaming & kettling, Kettling & streaming with 5,527 BW's counted.
BW's by hr (7:45-8) 27 (8-9) 721 (9-10) 5,527 (10-11) 268 (11-12) 996 (12-1) 583 (1-2) 62 (2-3) 237 (3-4) 2 (4-5) 7
2 Bald Eagles, Imm @ 12:38, AEBE @ 15:48
Special thanks to Dave Brunstetter for helping me count the multitudes.”
|
The regular Counters this year were: Joyce Holt, Bill and Katie James, Baron Gibson, Dillard Childress, David Kirk, and Carl Christianson. Somewhat irregular, but very important, counters were David Brunstetter, Matt Hosmer, Allen and Robin Austin, Barry Kinzie, Mike Crowder and Liz Williams.
Regular Observers this year included, but were not limited to: Darryl Martin, Andy Biggs, Eunice Hudgins, Phillip Ferguson, Tina Gibson, Kathy Brett, Jen, Randy Doss, Teresa Kinzie, Al Miller, and Norris Ford. We continue to appreciate assistance from Hollins University and Virginia Western during Broadwing season as well as many other Broadwing week regulars.
On 9/15/13, we had the earliest Golden Eagle on record, an immature.
Eye-balling the current (9 year) record, it looks like many species were below average this year including: Ospreys, Harriers, Sharpies, Kestrels, Merlins and Red Shoulders. Does anyone wonder if the melting permafrost enhances the food supply differentially to the Broadwings?
Is this a graph of BW migration? Click and see:
Nice Redtail-Squirrel Video From Richard E
Let's try wind farming for 30 years and see if there any Eagles left. NOT!
What those Amazon DRONES will be in for (check out the Osprey!)
You don't want to be a young OSPREY!
Harvey's Knob Current
Count
If the National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway, Dept. of the Interior, etc., would let us, we could block off the Overlook and install a pond just for these migrating BIRDS!
Thanksgiving Turkeys HERE!
David B. and the SE OWL
Joyce's Unusual DAY!
Photos of Harvey HERE!
Some Leftovers
Darryl's World Part ONE (Page Down)
Sausage Gravy DAY!
Thanks Barry!!
Immature Golden Eagle at the Knob September 15th, 2013!
Pictures HERE! (Then Page Down)
Also including Carl's Big Day, Mature and Immature Broadwings, a local Redtail, and more!
What scientific measure is used to determine the end of Broadwing
SEASON?
Late 9/16/13 flight - See CATMAN (or Baron on the throne) HERE!
(Then Page Down)
9/17/13 - A Cloudy Day Here!
The Biggest Day EVER!
(Then Page Down)
These high numbers are likely a Result of a new incantation by the small group of Dave and Bill
Jim Hylton's daughter and granddaughter were special visitors to the Knob on this big day.
See if you believe this Osprey's migration with two days and
nights of non-stop FLIGHT!
On to Cuba and then to Venezuela!! Look HERE!
More HERE!
The Osprey has settled in HERE
Some Osprey Behavior
A Flying SONG
Late on November 5th, Katie and I had 99 birds - waiting for one more when these two birds appeared flapping across the sky:
Enlarge (X2) and note the top bird's legs.
Playing?:
Shadowing?
And then they were gone:
September 19, 2012 was the third highest total at Harvey's
since records were begun - 5245!
Hard work for Baron who did an
incredible job! Some saw a BE chasing a PG - a first for many
of us!!!
People kettling up that day:
Barry cordially invites you to a Sausage Gravy Breakfast on
Sunday September 22rd, 2013 at 9-10AM on Harvey's Knob.
Last Year's RESULTS:
The chef prepares:
The Birds arrive:
The Chef's reward:
And we all miss JOHN......
Dillard sharing his knowledge with a through hiker:
(or trying to sell his Jeep.....)
New Revision of a Standard Hawk Book!
A review is HERE!
Another HERE!
The Grand Old Hawkwatch of the South is HERE!
Marriage under the.......BROADWINGS?
Dragonfly RECIPES!
Baron Retires to the Mountain!
Read this very nice ARTICLE about his retirement!
And this ONE!
We will miss Virginia Shields this year, a frequent visitor to, and friend of, Harvey's Knob Hawkwatch and birding in the Roanoke Valley.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Christmas Poem
Twas
the night before Christmas, when all across the mountain
Not a raptor was stirring and no one
was a-countin’!
The Vultures were hanging on the rails
without care
In hopes that a Hawkwatcher soon would
be there.
The Red Tails were nestled all snug in
their trees
While visions of meadow voles danced in
the breeze
(Which was a Beaufort of three or
possibly four
And out of the Northwest – Who could
ask for more!)
The ravens were flying, barrel rolling
with jive!
The moon was full, with visibility a
five……
When out of the Northeast there arose
such a clatter
Every creature looked up to see what
was the matter.
When what to their wondering eyes
should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight
Hawkwatchers in gear.
With a little old driver, so lively a
knave,
It was clear in a moment it must be
Saint Dave!
As rapid as Eagles, his coursers they
came
And he whistled, and shouted, and
called them by name:
“Now, Gibsons! Now Kirk! Now David
B. and Katie!
On Dillard! On Carl! On Joyce,
Milady!
On Leader, On Founder, You have to
carry ‘em,
They’re a heavy load, but - On
Myriam!
To the top of the mountain! To
Harvey’s, Heed the call!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away
all!”
“As dry leaves that before the wild
hurricane fly,
When they meet an obstacle, mount to
the sky,
So do the hawks” said Saint Dave, “in
migration.
They grace this spot, depending on
precipitation,
Thermals, dew point and other weather
factors.
They all contribute to the counter
seeing raptors.”
The sleigh came to rest on the Overlook
floor,
And from the Southwest came another
great roar:
A bus appeared and from the moon-lit
sky fell,
With sleepy-eyed Hawkwatchers, saying:
“What the Hell?”
“Here is your Christmas present”
said Old Saint Dave
And to each a gold and silver counter
he gave.
“But this counter is incredible”
said all the counting crew
“It goes all the way up into the
millions or two!”
“You can’t count that many hawks!”
said Deadeye Mike Crowder
“I can! I can” said Matt and
Phillip both getting louder.
Teresa said: “There must be more to
this story”
“Indeed!” said the Goffs, “Indeed”
echoed Cory.
The Wefels starting counting, Kathy B.
and Eunice too,
Quinns, Austins, Williams, Tuckers – their
thumbs turning blue.
Mike Purdy, Allen Miller – they were
clicking like mad
But counting nothing and Darryl said:
“This is sad.”
And says Andy to them all: ”This is
very, very crazy!”
Adds Barry to the clicking: “Anyone
want gravy?”
Said Saint Dave to the crowd: “I’m
glad I’ve brought you joy
With this little trinket – this
little counting toy.
But what do you do here? What’s the
good of your eye?”
And with that cue, they one and all
looked up high
And beheld a river of raptors in lines
through the sky:
Every hawk that did or would ever fly.
No clickers were clicking, open each
mouth
As the river ran from the North and the
South.
“This is the circle of migration that
you all will make”
Said the Saint to them all “And now
you must awake!”
On Christmas morning, each one awoke
with awe
At the dream they had had, the river
they saw.
Each had a memory of resounding words
that night:
“Happy Christmas to all and to all a
good flight!”
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Blustery November
November 10, 2013, a blustery day:
The immature Bald Eagle coming in for a landing. He failed at the pine tree to the west and then went North. This is our local Bald Eagle. We shall call him Harvey!
Another view of Harvey:
A Golden over the valley at a distance:
Lots of these:
And some HobKnobbers:
A good day on the mountain!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)