Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Official Counter: Mike Tetlow, Niki Banke
Observers: Daena Ford, Luke Seitz, Maili Waters, Mike Tetlow, Niki Banke
Visitors: Tom, Cheryl, Vid, Robin 3 non-raptor counters showed interest. A good number of regular volunteers either helped count or just stopped in to enjoy a piece of a great flight.
Weather: Mostly high clouds much of the day. Strong lake breeze kicked in at 1:00 edt stopping the flight for and hour. The lake breeze lightened and birds started moving again on obviously southerly higher level winds. The winds went strong SW the last hour but birds were already done for the day.
Raptor Observations: The first birds were 2 beautiful low flying juvenile Bald Eagles. At 10:40 edt the bird of the day, a Mississippi Kite was spotted moving low across the spits along the shore taking time to soar over in a gap for all to see! Another Red-shouldered Hawk added to their unusual numbers. Good Bald Eagles numbers for the date and a nice late day Peregrine Falcon.
Non-raptor Observations: A treetop Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was the passerine highlight. 2 Chimney Swifts were nice in light of the lower numbers of swallows.
Predictions: Light west winds may be west/northwest at the lakeshore. That combined with possible scattered showers may limit the flight but some birds will move. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Mike Tetlow (<metetlow...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
