Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch is one of over 200 hawk watch sites in North America that is monitored by the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) and also supported by the Augusta Bird Club. The primary mission of Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch is to collect raptor count data during fall migration in a repetitive and consistent fashion (a citizen science project). The hawk watch is popular among visitors, birders and researchers because of the large volume of raptors that migrate down the Blue Ridge Mountains each fall. Identifying and counting these raptors enables systematic monitoring of raptor populations in North America. A small group of trained and experienced volunteers serve as counters at Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch.
Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch is located nearby on Afton Mountain at the crossing of Interstate 64, U.S. Highway 250, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Skyline Drive. The fall migration count is conducted Aug 15 to Nov 30. Many Augusta Bird Club members are involved (Vic Laubach is the Coordinator), and many visitors come to witness the great migration! The hawk watch yearly count data can be found at HawkCount, where you can view daily, monthly, and yearly raptor numbers. Visit the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch website for much more information.
