Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.65 hours
Official Counter: Maili Waters
Observers: Bridget Watts, Mike Tetlow, Vid Killius
Visitors: 6
Weather: The day started out cloudy, becoming partly sunny around 10am. Winds started out of the west then shifted to NNW in the afternoon. Temps in the high 40s and low 50s.
Raptor Observations: Today was a great day with just over 4,700 birds. The flight picked up around 10am with very high Broad-winged Hawks streaming over. The Broad-wings were so high up that you couldn't see them without scanning the sky with binoculars or a scope. By the end of the day we had seen just over 4,000 Broad-wings, 224 Turkey Vultures, and 144 Sharp-shinned Hawks. There were also 2 Red-Shouldered Hawks, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, and 3 Peregrine Falcons.
Non-raptor Observations: flyovers include 1 Sandhill Crane, several Great Blue Herons, and 6 Horned Larks. Some ducks continue in the bay, including 45 American Coot, 12 Gadwall, and 2 Blue-winged Teal. At the seed there were several Song Sparrows, 1 Field Sparrow, and 1 American Tree Sparrow. There were lots of swallows flying all day with Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Bank Swallows, and 1 Cliff Swallow mixed in.
Predictions: Tomorrow will have a mix of sun and clouds and a high of 56F. Winds out if the NE at 5-10mph. The wind direction is basically the opposite of what we want, but it is light enough there could still be some light movement.
Starting this Friday, our Birds of Prey Days will commence! There will be presentations, activities, and an auction! Swing by the platform this weekend to get a free Braddock Bay Hawkwatch sticker! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Maili Waters (<mailirwaters...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
