Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5.25 hours
Official Counter: John Weeks
Observers: John Weeks
Visitors: Ed, from Suffield, trail runner extraordinaire.
Weather: Variably cloudy; cumulus cloud-cover diminished from 80% to 50%. Wind light 3-6 mph, W backing to SW, then reverting to W, playing confuse-a-bird with the migrants. Temperature 63-68 F.
Raptor Observations: Small numbers, but an entertaining half-day nevertheless. Seven Ospreys is a high count in October for the site. Several of them soared extraordinarily high before traveling southwest. At 1:05 PM (EDT), our season's first American Goshawk appeared in the distance, harassed by a smaller, unidentified raptor. Alas, the Gos did not go south. The Turkey Vultures continue to keep me guessing as to their intentions. Not counted as migrants: 3 Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawk.
Non-raptor Observations: Hairy Woodpecker, Blue-headed Vireo, Blue Jays (local) 2, Blue Jays (migrants) 10, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadees 2, Tufted Titmice 2, Golden-crowned Kinglets (first of the season) 4, Ruby-crowned Kinglets 3, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Pipit, American Goldfinch. Warblers: Black-and-white (f), Northern Parulas 2, Magnolia, Blackpoll, Black-throated Blue (f), Palm 2, Yellow-rumped 8 (an undercount). One Monarch. A few dragonflies still around; one pair was mating in the air. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Weeks (<aerie.john...>)
