Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 16:15:00 Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Official Counter: Jim Thomson
Observers: Brian Hardiman
Visitors: Today saw the return of Andy the Trail Runner up on Coon !!! Great seeing and chatting with you Andy !!! Been way too long !!! Don't be a stranger !
Hikers- 11
Weather: Temps- 66-77 Deg.F, Wind- AM- SW@ 4-10mph, PM- Becoming more variable. Switching from SW to W to NW @ 4-14mph Partly cloudy in AM to mostly cloudy in PM Thick haze in the AM that persisted in areas throughout the day.
Raptor Observations: Bald Eagle- 7 ( 6-Adult, 1- Immature)
A long slow day on the ridge which was made way more tolerable by my good buddy Brian Hardiman ! Some may know Brian as the previous lead counter on Coon. Been a long time since it was just the two of us manning the watch site. Thanks for the company today Brian !! The early SW winds had the birds moving well off the ridge on the reservoir side. Long looks thru hazy skies= NO FUN ! As the wind shifted to a more favorable W/NW direction in the late afternoon we had some nicer looks at Harriers, Redtails, and our Bird of the Day which was an immature Bald Eagle that rose up from the valley below on the river side in some stunningly beautiful late afternoon light. We were actually getting our packs together for the hike out when this bird appeared. And it was CLOSE!!! Just WOW !
Non-raptor Observations: TV's & BV's ( many TV's on the move today ) Juncos Ravens- 14+ Painted Lady Robins
======================================================================== Report submitted by Jim Thomson (<hawkinflight...>)
