Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Official Counter: Eric Mueller
Observers: Bill Rasku, Christine Restell, Jack Miano, Janet Kovner, Pam Landry, Tom Gottschang
Visitors: We had a good crew that put up with the gusty winds all day while searching for the raptors. In addition to those listed above, Bryan DiFabio stopped by to see what was happening. A Framingham State ornithology class helped out as well.
Several hundred sightseers, bikers and hikers came up to the summit.
Weather: Another very windy day with average speeds of 7-10 mph, frequent gusts over 15 mph and some gusts over 20, WNW to NW. Skies were mostly cloudless, with temps from 42 to 61 F. Some light haze in the air but still very good visibility, with mid-NH mountains seen easily.
Raptor Observations: The birds were fighting the winds all day, and few were seen much higher than the summit. We maintained a team at the summit all day, but Bill Rasku saw more birds per hour during the 2.5 hours that he observed down at the North Rd overlook. Observation records were compared to prevent double-counting. Two late Ospreys flew through.
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: Canada Goose - 170 (7 skeins) unidentified waterfowl - 5 Blue Jay - 2 Comm Raven - 3 BC Chickadee - 2 DE Junco - 2 Cedar WW - 1
Predictions: Even higher winds expected on Saturday with regular gusts over 25 mph anticipated. Eric will check out the summit in the morning, but if high winds persist and few birds are seen, he may move down to the North Rd overlook. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
