Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Bill Rasku, Eric Mueller
Observers: Eric Mueller, Jon Skinner, Tom Gottschang
Visitors: 40 to 50 hikers and sightseers who didn't stay on the platform very long after facing the strong, cold wind.
Weather: Gusty wind from WNW to W averaging 10-12 mph, but with frequent gusts from 15 to 21 mph. Mostly clear skies at first gave way to scattered cumulus clouds (at 2900 ft) that thickened over time to 85% coverage and rose to about 3300-3500 ft locally. The air was quite clear and the only thing that kept us from seeing the tops of the some of the farthest mountains was the low cloud cover. With the lack of warming sunshine, the gusty cold air (38 to 46F) finally seeped through everyone's clothing layers and we closed down early at 12 EST.
Raptor Observations: Eric and Tom were posted on the summit and only saw 2 Bald Eagles and a UB migrate through, while Bill was down at the North Rd overlook and saw all of the other birds as they tried to avoid the strong winds above. Bill saw groups of 6 and 8 TVs, and a trio of imm Bald Eagles. He also saw single N Harriers in the first and last hours.
Update: Jon Skinner went up to the summit from 12:30 to 3:30 EST, and saw 11 more migrating birds, as well as some non-migrating raptors, and non-raptors. Thanks for the add-ons, Jon!
Non-migrating raptors: TV - 4 Bald Eagle - 8 (4 Ad, 3 imm, 1 Juv) Eric saw 2 Ad & 3 Imm in one quick kettle. SS - 1 RS - 1 (climbed up south of summit and moved NW - Jon) RT - 3
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: Canada Goose - 305 (11 skeins) goose sp - 100 (2 large skeins - Jon) Comm Loon - 2 (separate) Blue Jay - 3 Amer Crow - 19 (groups of 5 & 14) Comm Raven - 5 BC Chickadee - 2 (Jon) T Titmouse - 1 (Jon) GC Kinglet - 1 (Jon) DE Junco - 25 (Jon)
Predictions: Wednesday looks to be another cold and even windier day with temps in the high 30s to mid-40s, winds from the WNW to NW at 10-20 mph and partly to mostly cloudy skies. Based on the flight today, we will probably do most of our observing from the North Rd overlook. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
