Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Maili Waters
Observers: Amy O'Neill , Bridget Watts, Liam Waters , Mike Tetlow,
Robin Morey, Roger Clark, Sheryl Gracewski, Vid Killius
Visitors:
18
Weather:
Early rain and fog gave way to cloudy skies, temps in the 50s, and south
winds at 10-15mph. A band of thunderstorms came through between 9am and
10am. After the rain passed, it was still cloudy with winds out of the SW
at 15-20mph. As the day progressed the clouds broke up, becoming partly
sunny, and winds increased and shifted WSW. Temps reached a high of 75F.
Raptor Observations:
There was a light movement of birds before the rain hit with some
Sharp-shinned and Broad-winged Hawks. However, after the rain passed
Sharp-shins started to litter the sky, shortly followed by a huge number of
Broad-winged Hawks. In just one hour we had over 3,500 migrating raptors!
Broad-winged Hawks were the prominent species of today�s flight, followed
by Turkey Vultures. It was also an amazing flight for Sharp-shinned Hawks
with over 1,000 individuals! There was a steady flow of birds all afternoon
with a couple hundred birds each hour. The more unusual birds seen today
included 2 Merlins, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, and 2 Black Vultures!
Non-raptor Observations:
There was not much in terms of a morning flight of passerines. A Virginia
Rail sang several times today from the marsh, which is a new bird for the
year! Several Barn Swallows were mixed in with the Tree swallows. There was
a female Eastern Towhee feeding near the seed.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Maili Waters (<mailirwaters...>)
Braddock Bay information may be found at:
http://www.bbrr.org/
