Cold and blustery day on Tussey Mountain with some surprise snow showers. W
winds for the entire count peaking at 39-49kph by noon. Visibility was off
and on at the beginning of the count as the snow squalls passed over the
ridge. By 11:00 the visibility had improved greatly to 16km with occasional
snow squalls continuing. The ceiling lifted at this time as well. Mostly
cloudy skies for the entire count. Low temperature of -3C at 10:00 and a
high of 1C by 11:00 when the sun briefly peaked through the clouds.
Raptor Notes
TV 1 (172) RT (2) 164) GE 1 (134) Total 4 (699)
GE NA 09:43
Slow flight today which was to be expected with the strong W winds and
several snow squalls blowing over Tussey Mountain throughout the count. The
first raptor of the day was a non-adult GE close to the OP on the N side of
the ridge. It kited briefly before moving NE.
Resident raptor activity was virtually non-existent. The first resident
raptors were TUVU at 11:32. At 13:24 the resident COHA was spotted flying S
near the cut on the S side of the ridge. Shortly after the local immature
RTHA was spotted soaring low on the S side of the ridge in the gap.
Non-raptor Notes
The local CORA was flying with a large chunk of bread from N to S near the
cut. It’s partner in crime was in tow. Yesterday it flew through same with
a similar hunk of bread and partner in tow on the same flight line.
Momentarily a BLVU gave chase, but the CORA seemed undeterred. I am curious
what the local source of the bread stuff is?
duck sp. 20
Mourning Dove 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
American Crow 2
Common Raven 2
Black-capped Chickadee 2
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 4
Visitors
None
1 hiker
Next Day Forecast
Sunny, with a high near 53. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the
morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
