Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch counters have conducted a Raptorthon for the past 11 years where we have raised over $12,000; half of which was used to directly support our hawk watch! Our Raptorthon team is named “Rockfish Gap Hawkwatchers“. The Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) is committed to the conservation of raptors through the scientific study, enjoyment, and appreciation of raptor migration. The purpose of the Raptorthon is to have fun and raise money to support HMANA’s work for raptors and hawk watching throughout North America.
On May 3, 2024, the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watchers team (Vic Laubach, Rich Wood, Robyn Puffenbarger and Bill Benish) conducted our 12th annual Raptorthon to raise funds for Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) and our local Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch. We spent the day birding in Highland County, Virginia, ending up with 100 species including 18 warblers and 4 raptors. The weather was beautiful: partly cloudy with cool temps early and warm temps in afternoon and light breezes. Our day was 12 hours long and we drove approximately 210 miles!
Our first stop was at the top of the mountain at Confederate Breastworks on rt250 where we heard a Whip-poor-will singing just as it was beginning to get light. On our drive down the mountain to Monterey we had, a Wild Turkey, a Yellow-breasted Chat and lots of warblers including Cerulean, Worm-eating, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Black-and-white, Blackburnian, Redstart, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green, and Pine. On our drive from Monterey to Paddy Knob (at the West Virginia border), we pickup up more birds including Wood Duck, Solitary Sandpiper, Bald Eagle, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Yellow Warbler. At Paddy Knob (elevation 4477 feet) we were surrounded by birds and song! Here, there were many Least Flycatchers as well as Veery, Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-capped Chickadee, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and we heard two Ruffed Grouse drumming in the distance. Warblers included Ovenbird, Worm-eating, Black-and-white, Northern Parula, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Greens and Blues, Yellow-rumped, and Canada.
We then headed north to Monterey and Blue Grass. At the Monterey Trout Farm we had a blast while encountering avian, amphibian, and reptilian creatures! An Osprey and Red-tailed Hawk circled overhead while singing below were Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Louisiana Waterthrush, Redstart, and Yellow Warbler. In the water were Wood Ducks, a Spotted Sandpiper, and singing American Toads. Then we found the biggest highlight of the day: a large water snake eating a big Rainbow Trout! The snake had the fish half-way down when we found it, and we watched for a few minutes before it finally swam downstream to finish its meal. Along Wimer Mountain Rd and at Bramble Hill (on West Virginia border), we had a female American Kestrel exit a nest box and found other birds including Northern Flicker, Eastern Kingbird, Swallows (Barn, Tree, Cliff), House Wren, Orchard Oriole, Common Yellowthroat, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Yellow Warbler, and Belted Kingfisher. Other highlights in the Blue Grass area included Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Bobolinks, Savannah Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Ruby-throated Hummingbird. We had quite a wonderful day birding together for our Raptorthon! We’re thrilled to report that we surpassed our goal of raising $2,000 in donations! We all give a huge thanks to everyone who supported us!
