Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Eric Mueller
Observers: Bill Rasku, Cindy Rost, David Brown, Joanne Hart, John Edmondson, Marty McNamara
Visitors: Approx. 50-75 sightseers and hikers, plus around 100 students from the Bancroft School in Worcester.
We had a good crew today, with enough people to keep an eye on most quarters. In addition to those listed above, we got help from Linda Ferraresso and Don Singleman (with his sweet Wheaten Terrier, Ellie.)
Weather: The clearest air that we've seen from Wachusett Mt since last December. All landmarks were easily visible with extra details showing in the bright sun. Mt Washington was visible in the morning through binoculars, even though the summit was not covered in snow. The clear blue sky lasted until 12:30 pm EST when a layer of cumulus clouds began to advance from the NW. Temps rose from 46 to 61F. Winds averaged 8-9 mph from the NW until 10 am when they dropped a bit to 5-7 mph from WNW to W. Everyone on the platform was bundled up.
Raptor Observations: The seasonably low temperatures north of us didn't supercharge the migration today, but we were still able to count 47 migrants. We probably lost some high-flyers in the clear sky. The flight tailed off noticeably after noon EST.
Non-migrating raptors: TV - 4 (minimum) Bald Eagle - 6 (all seen together - 2 Ad, 1 Sub-ad, 2 Imm, 1 Juv) Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 Cooper's Hawk - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 3 (2 Ad, 1 Juv)
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: gull sp - 1 (fly-by) Barred Owl - 1 (heard calling nearby) Blue Jay - 3 Comm Raven - 3 BC Chickadee - 4 T Titmouse - 2 Downy WP - 1 Wht-thr Sparr - 1 DE Junco - 8 E Towhee - 1 passerine - approx 150 (probably Starlings. A tight swirling ball being attacked by a hawk)
Predictions: Another day much like today with temps in the high 40s and 50s, clear skies changing to partly cloudy in the afternoon, and solid 8-12 mph winds from the WNW changing to W around noon. Hopefully the continued overnight temps in the 40s north of us will get more birds moving. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
