Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 12:45:00 Total observation time: 4.25 hours
Official Counter: Bob Secatore, Ted Mara
Observers: Ted Mara
Visitors: Victoria Russell and Dr Lawrence Boyle of Biddeford, Maine who were very helpful in spotting several of our birds.
Marge Watson
Weather: Weak NW wind at start turning to weak W wind for second hour. Dead calm (i.e., 0 mph) at start of 10:00 AM hour that turned to onshore (east) wind before the 12:00 PM hour. Remained onshore for rest of watch period. Temps 42 to 46 deg Fahrenheit for first part of period but decreased to low 40s when onshore breeze began. Almost total (95 to 100%) cloud cover for entire watch. Visibility 15 K.
Raptor Observations: We recorded 41 migrant raptors today: 15 NH, 2 SS, 20 TV, 1 AK and 3 UR. For the second day in a row, thermals developing over the marsh encouraged Harriers, TVs and Sharp-shins to spiral upwards and then flap/glide northward during the 10 and 11 o'clock hours even after the onshore breeze had developed by 10:00 AM. No additional migrants were counted during the last hour and forty five minutes of the watch when migrants pretty well disappeared from the marsh. Even gulls, which were plentiful during the thermal periods, disappeared from view. Gender and age breakdown: 2 adult female NH, 2 adult male NH, 1 first year male NH and 1 female AK. The 20 TVs spiraled upward in a tall kettle before moving northward.
Other raptors seen but failed to migrate: around 15 additional TVs, 3 or 4 NH and 2 Bald Eagles.
Non-raptor Observations: Other Birds: 2 Mute Swans, 14 Am Crows, 2 Ravens, 4 Jays and 5 male Turkeys.
Predictions: Tomorrow's weather looks promising with moderate WNW winds all day under sunny to partly cloudy skies and temps in the low 30s to high 40s with significant wind chills. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Secatore (<rs8843829...>) Plum Island MA information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
