Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Maili Waters
Observers: Cliff Dekdebrun, Greg Sanda, Mike Tetlow, Vid Killius
Visitors: 6
Weather: The day started out partly cloudy, but soon became very sunny. Temps reached a high of 55F. Winds started out as a light WSW, but then shifted to the NE.
Raptor Observations: The morning started out with light WSW winds which encouraged a couple hundred Broad-winged Hawks to pass over the platform. Around noon the winds shifted to the NE and we moved the watch to Frisbee Hill. At Frisbee, the flight continued, but with lower numbers of birds. A light morph Rough-legged Hawk made a brief appearance, passing over the hill with some Turkey Vultures. The highlight of the day was an immature American Goshawk. Around 1:30pm Mike picked out a distant bird coming toward us and we both independently thought Goshawk! While it flew by, we were able to get views that confirmed our initial impressions. The rest of the day only had a few Turkey Vultures moving.
Non-raptor Observations: Lots of Caspian terns in the bay today along with a handful of Bonaparte's Gulls. Three American Tree Sparrows continue to hang out by the feeder.
Predictions: Tomorrow will have SSW winds in the morning, then gusty winds developing with some strong thunderstorms possible in the afternoon. High 77F. Winds SW at 25-35mph. Birds will be on the move tomorrow and depending on the rain and wind strength, we could see a big flight. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Maili Waters (<mailirwaters...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
