Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 14:15:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Bill Rasku
Observers: Christine Restell, Richard Spedding, Ted Purcell
Visitors: There was a steady flow of visitors including a couple of birders from Austin who are now living in the area. We enjoyed talking with our friend Frannie.
Weather: The day started with solid low clouds, light SW winds and high humidity that obscured the view of all of the NH mountains and Boston. Misty rain began to fall around 11:40 and morphed into a 15 minute rain shower starting at 12:00. After that, the clouds began to break and by 12:40, we began to get views of Mt. Greylock far to the west, the NH mountains to the north and Boston to the east. Partly sunny conditions lasted until 3:15 when a heavier rain cell arrived and ended our day. Temps stayed in the 21-24 C range all day.
Raptor Observations: We counted our first migrating raptors of the season - a Red-shoulder, an Osprey and a UR that was too far out to ID. Hopefully these are the first of many more to come.
Thanks to Christine Restell who first spotted all 3 migrating birds, as well as to our counter Bill Rasku and our other observers Ted Purcell and Richard Spedding.
Non-migrating raptors: TV - 6 Broad-winged Hawk - 3 (the immatures that have been seen every day so far) Red-shouldered Hawk - 1
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: MODO - 1 RT Hummingbird - 1 YT Vireo - 1 RE Vireo - 1 BC Chickadee - 1 Blue Jay - 1 T Titmouse - 1 Barn Swallow - 2+ Gr Catbird - 1 Amer Robin - 1 Cedar WW - 1 Song Sparr - 1 E Towhee - 1 B&W Warbler - 1 BT Green Warbler - 1
Predictions: Now that tropical storm Erin has passed, the dominant SW winds have passed and straight westerly winds will take over. While not the best direction, it's still an improvement, even with wind speeds of 10-15 mph tomorrow. It should be sunny with moderate humidity, and temps in the 60's to low 70's (F). We're hoping for a continuing increase in raptor counts over the next couple of days. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
