Date: 8/26/25 8:37 pm
From: Barbara Volkle <barb620...>
Subject: [MASSBIRD] Wachusett Mountain (26 Aug 2025) 8 Migrating Raptors
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2025 01:11:53 +0000
From: <reports...>
Subject: Wachusett Mountain (26 Aug 2025) 8 Migrating Raptors


Wachusett Mountain
Princeton, Massachusetts, USA
Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 26, 2025
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 0 1 1
Bald Eagle 6 6 6
Northern Harrier 0 0 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0
Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0
American Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 0 0 0
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipitrine 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 2 3 3

Total: 8 11 11
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total
observation time: 5.75 hours

Official Counter: Eric Mueller, Ted Purcell

Observers: Christine Restell, Cindy Rost, Joanne Hart, John Edmondson,
Mark Hibberd, Marty McNamara, Scot Wiinikka, Ted Purcell,
Tom Gottschang

Visitors:
Several dozen hikers and other sightseers came up to enjoy the good view
and pleasant weather.


Weather:
Finally a day without southerly winds - everything came straight out of the
west today at 6-12 mph with gusts up to 18 mph and lulls down to almost
nothing. Temps were from 60 to 70F, and there were many more clouds than
predicted, but that was fine as a background for spotting the birds. The
wind made it a bit chilly, and layering was definitely in order today.
Visibility was very good with only a slight haze - all of the usual
landmarks were quite visible.

Raptor Observations:
Bald Eagles carried the day for us, accounting for 6 of the 8 migrating
raptors that we spotted today. The first one appeared just 15 minutes
after we set up this morning, and the other 5 all flew through between 10
and 11 am EST. They seem to respond well to the stronger wind conditions
aloft.
Non-migrating raptors:
Black Vulture - 4 (all together)
TV - 4 (minimum number)
Bald Eagle - 2 (1 Ad, 1 Juv)
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 2 (possibly 3, all juveniles)
Red-tail - 2
Unident Raptor - 1

We had a great turnout of observers today with a total of 10 over the
course of the day. Thanks to everyone who came out today!


Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptors:
MODO - 1
Chimney Swift - 4
RE Vireo - 1
Comm Raven - 11 (possibly 12 all in one group)
BC Chickadee - 2
Gr Catbird - 1
Amer Robin - 1
Cedar WW - 1
E Towhee - 1
N Cardinal - 1 (not all that common a visitor up here)



Predictions:
Partly to mostly cloudy skies, with temps in the 60's, with WNW to W winds
at 5-10 mph and low-to-moderate humidity. This should be a recipe for a
good flight and good observation conditions.
========================================================================
Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>)
Wachusett Mountain information may be found at:
http://www.massbird.org/emhw


More site information at hawkcount.org:
https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=228

 
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