Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 4.25 hours
Official Counter: Eric Mueller
Observers: Bill Rasku, Tom Gottschang
Visitors: Only about 10 hikers stopping to check the excellent view. Normally we would expect about 25-30
Weather: Another cold and very windy day with NW winds averaging 16 mph but gusting as high as 30 mph. Clear air except for haze in patches south of Mt Monadnock and farther NE into NH that might have been light snow flurries. Temps from 42 to 49 F, and cumulus cloud cover that varied from scattered to near solid and back.
Raptor Observations: Because of the high winds, we conducted the watch from the North Rd overlook lower on the NW slope of the mountain. Also Bill Rasku drove through with a friend and spent an hour (9:30 to 10:30 EST) at The Ledges overlook on the western side where they saw 5 migrating raptors. Other than a foursome of TVs and a pair of Sharpies, all of the birds flew through singly. Non-migrating raptors: TV - 4 Bald Eagle - 2 (Ad & Imm) Sharpie - 2 Red-tail - 4 (2 Ad, 1 Juv, 1 not aged) Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: (it was hard to hear calls from the woods over the noise of the wind) Canada Goose - 94 (all in one skein) duck sp - 4 gull sp - 17 (a distant, high kettle) Blue Jay - 2 Comm Raven - 2 BC Chickadee - 2 WB Nuthatch - 2
Predictions: A calmer, warmer day with more sunshine. N to NNE winds at 4-7 mph, temps in the 40s and low 50s, and plenty of sun with low humidity. The birds should be able to rise on good thermals and give us more extended views from the summit. Still waiting for big TV flights to come through. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
