Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch State College, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 02, 2026 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Thomas Filip
Observers: Andrew Bechdel, Connor Schmitt, Jon Kauffman, Nick Bolgiano
Weather: A cloudy and chilly morning with a low temperature of -5.7℃ and low ESE winds at 3mph. The skies stayed generally cloudy the whole morning while winds shifted to SE and increased slightly to 6mph. After noon the skies cleared up a bit and the winds increased to 9mph with a high temperature of 4.1℃
Raptor Observations: 3 GOEA spotted today. 2 were spotted at the same time soaring over the ridge. The first, an adult, changed course slightly and flew on the south side of the ridge at 11:44. The second, a sub-adult, followed shortly after flying over the ridge top at 11:45. The third GOEA was spotted at 12:04 on the south side initially before crossing the ridge and continuing its way NE on the north side.
Despite good conditions in the afternoon, we did not see as many GOEA as expected. It is possible the approaching storm is holding them back.
Other migrating raptors included an adult BAEA, a RTHA, and a SSHA.
Resident raptors included 2 RTHA, 1 RSHA, 1 COHA, and 7 TUVU.
Unfortunately our PISI streak was broken today with 0 seen or heard. We did however have a good number of AGOL today with a total count of 45, a new high for the season. Songbird activity was otherwise low today.
Predictions: The forecast for the following days are uncertain as the forecast keeps changing but it seems to be rainy for much of the week. Tomorrow looks to be rain all day. Wednesday may be clear but winds look to be very low NE in morning and very low SSE winds in the afternoon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Thomas Filip () Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch information may be found at: tusseymountainspringhawkwatch.org/
