Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Caroline Fegley
Observers: Annamarie Saenger, Chuck Carlson, Kevin Murphy, Marie Burgess, Michael Burgess, Nora Hanke, Tom Momeyer
Visitors: 47
Weather: Clear skies, low NW/W/SW winds. 1-8 C (34-46 F)
Raptor Observations: Relatively slow day. Highlight was a late morning juvenile goshawk. I saw a suspicious accipiter who looked slightly falcon-y and slightly buteo-y over North Pack. Once in the scope, the raptor turned away from the raven mob and began heading straight for Gina the owl. For the 2 km between the platform and North's summit, this raptor was locked in. As it approached, I noticed the heavy dark streaking down the breast and body. At the last moment, the bird decided it was too wary of the hawkwatchers to come closer and showed off its shape, plumage, and nearly-bursting crop as it changed course and headed over the east side to continue south. Volunteers were able to get great photos!
Non-raptor Observations: A large flock of American crows moved south at the end of the day, uncountable to an exact number because of the spruce trees in the way, but we estimated at least 40. Other highlights include 1 robin, 220 Canada geese, 22 brants, 1 tufted titmouse, and about 15 purple finches
Predictions: Mostly to partly cloudy with WNW winds growing heavy in the afternoon
On this day in Pack history... "2007: A record 8 American Goshawks are counted. Lance Tanino: ""Three species reached double digits (turkey vulture, sharp-shinned hawk, and red-tailed hawk), however, the big day belonged to the northern goshawk (season high daily total; mostly adults). At one time I had three goshawks circling overhead composed of two adults and a juvenile."" ======================================================================== Report submitted by Caroline Fegley (<cgfegley...>) Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory information may be found at: www.harriscenter.org
