Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: Michael Ceci
Observers:
Visitors: None
Weather: At the start of today's watch from Site 1A, the wind direction was NNE with gusts up to 1.1 MPH. A clearing along the Lake's shore was in progress. The inland fog burned-off by 9:45, giving way to mostly sunny skies. For the majority of the day, the wind contained northerly and easterly elements causing the birds to move through slowly at a low elevation. As the day progressed, wind direction changed to WNW. By noon, the sky began to blacken as a front from the west was coming through. Quite often, flights emerge ahead of a front, but that wasn't the case today. A thunderstorm began @ 2:00 PM with light rain, and then heavy rain by 2:20 PM. The first portion of the front moved through rapidly with another brief clearing to follow. Very often, BW's and other raptors move through during the brief intervals of clearing. I checked all 3 regular sites, and included a trip to the cell tower at the top of Creamery. A flight failed to materialize. By 3:00 PM, heavy rain returned and the watch was shut down.
Raptor Observations: The majority of today's fight consisted of low-flying and slow moving TV's. The TV's were moving so slow that it became difficult to determine if they were passing through as migrants, of if they were locals. I was able to make the distinction and observed 63 migrating TV's. There was minimal movement of raptors that included only 4 Broad-winged Hawks. The NE wind was certainly a factor, along with a front to the west of the watch.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions: The forecast for Tuesday, May 6, 2025 is as follows: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming cloudy with periods of rain later in the day. High 62F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. With temperatures projected to be in the low to mid 60's and SSW wind, it's possible a meaningful flight will materialize. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Michael Ceci (<michael.ceci541...>) Ripley Hawk Watch information may be found at: www.facebook.com/groups/3193820734258889/
