Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Frank Rohrbacher, Jeff Chambers, Joe Francis, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Rachel Yurchisin, Walt Blackwell
Visitors: 18
Weather: A change in weather to start November with a cold front passing through. At sunrise it was cloudy except to the east where enough sunshine came through to make a nice rainbow. About an hour of light rain that extended into the beginning of the count. By mid-morning the sun was coming back out then a period of cumulus clouds then clearing to no clouds by the end of the day. Winds were moderate from the west and became gusty in the afternoon. Very warm with temps into the upper 70s.
Raptor Observations: A steady flight. Most migrants were low to medium altitude with only eagles and some vultures taking the high flight line. A steady vulture flight with 13 black vultures and nearly a hundred Turkey Vultures. One Osprey. A good amount of Bald Eagle activity with fifteen counted as migrants. Moderate flight of harriers and accips. Eight red-tails but only one red-shoulder. One kestrel was the only migrating falcon.
Non-raptor Observations: After the morning rain passed there was a huge flight of robins and waxwings for about an hour.
25 Canada Geese, WESTERN CATTLE-EGRET, 2 Common Ravens, 3,000+ American Robins, 500+ Cedar Waxwings, 5 Purple Finches, Rusty Blackbird, 1 monarch, Air Force One. https://ebird.org/checklist/S201035086
New species for season: Western Cattle-Egret
Predictions: Tomorrow: Partly cloudy. High 61F. Winds NNW at 10-15mph. Classic fall hawkwatching conditions. The winds are good following the cold front that passed through this morning. Spotting will depend on clouds but it seems there may be some, especially in the morning. We are coming into peak Golden Eagle time. Expect moderate to good migration.
Sunday: Mainly sunny. High 59F. Winds NE at 5-10mph. Expect moderate migration but tough spotting.
Monday: Intervals of clouds and sun. High 65F. Winds SE at 5-10mph. Expect light to moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
