Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter:
Observers: Jon Skinner
Visitors: None
Weather: Yesterday's hawkwatch report from Jon Skinner: The morning started at a cool 34F and warmed up to a comfortable 48F with the sun shining bright. Skies were completely clear in the morning except for low hanging haze, mostly to the east, likely due to recent brush fires. Thin clouds started forming in the afternoon but didn't help make the birds easier to spot. Winds remained a constant 6-8mph out of the NW.
Raptor Observations: I was expecting a typical quiet start to the morning that is typical for late-season hawkwatching but I had a good variety, right out of the gate in the first hour. The American Goshawk was very much a highlight and got me excited and motivated for the rest of the day. Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks were the most frequently seen birds of the day with a good handful of each representing the overall count of migrants for the day. The other highlights of the day, albeit not migrants, was one of the latest Black Vultures for the hawkwatch and double feature of Red Crossbill and White-winged Crossbill. It might not be a big flight year for finches but there's still some to be found. Also notable was the constant stream of American Crows moving southward during the day. Wachusett Mountain has been reporting consistent numbers of crows moving through as well. I suspect that a good number of these crows are joining the evening roost in Fitchburg.
Non-migrant Raptors: Black Vulture 1 Bald Eagle 8 Red-tailed Hawk 7
Non-raptor Observations: Canada Goose 58 goose sp. 165 gull sp. 6 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Blue Jay 26 American Crow 1174 Common Raven 15 Black-capped Chickadee 10 Tufted Titmouse 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Eastern Bluebird 1 American Robin 1 Purple Finch 7 Red Crossbill 2 White-winged Crossbill 1 Pine Siskin 1 American Goldfinch 1 Snow Bunting 1 passerine sp. 17
Predictions: No formal count planned. If you count any raptors at Mount Watatic the rest of the Fall, please email me your sightings <at14hawks8owls...> As we enter November, many excellent species begin to peak their migration, highlighted by Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks. Migrant Bald Eagles have been plentiful in later months as well. You also have an increased chance at wonderful rarities like Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle and Rough-legged Hawk in these colder months. I encourage folks to explore Watatic during the late Fall, especially on days with NW winds! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian Rusnica (<brian_rusnica...>) Mount Watatic information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
More site information at hawkcount.org:https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=229
