Observation start time: 05:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Bob Secatore, Kathryn Chihowski
Observers: David Goodine, Dick Hughes, Donna Blasko, John Cannizzo, Judd Nathan, Kathryn Chihowski, Paul Roberts, Peter Duffy, Susan Moses, Ted Mara, Tom Wetmore, Ursula Goodine
Visitors: Andrea Cannizzo, Matt Sabourin, Marj Watson, Andy Sanford, Dave Salt.
Weather: Southwest winds all day, weak (4 mph) during the first hour but gaining strength to 18 mph with gusts to 25 mph later in watch. Cloud cover both thin and minimal.
Raptor Observations: We counted 77 migrants today including 2 OS, 6 NH, 32 SS, 35 AK 1 ML and 1 UF. The vast majority of these (63 migrants) passed through between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm. We had anticipated a major movement of Sharp-shins today, and, with lots of warblers sighted on the island at the start, we thought that the Sharp-shin count would live up to expectations. Sadly, such was not the case. Early in the watch 3 BE (2 ad & 1 imm) were observed engaging in aerial combat for several minutes, performing talon grasping for short intervals in the process.
Raptors that failed to migrate: 1 or 2 NH, 4 TV, 3 BE.
Non-raptor Observations: Several birders mentioned that the initial fallout of warblers quickly evaporated when they were observed flying en masse in a northwest direction over the marsh and onto the mainland still very early in the morning.
Predictions: WNW and NW winds 14 to 17 mph, temps in the low 60's throughout the day us hopeful that migrants will be moving through on the island. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Secatore (<rs8843829...>) Plum Island MA information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
