Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Maili Waters
Observers: Bridget Watts, Dominic Sherony, Greg Sanda, Mike Tetlow, Roger Clark, Rosemary Reilly, Shannon Sanda, Vid Killius
Visitors: 20
Weather: It started out warm and cloudy with temps in the high 50s and SW winds at 10-15mph. Around noon, a cold front pushed in rain and colder temps. Winds shifted to west and strengthened to 15-25mph. The afternoon was cloudy and windy with temps in the 40s.
Raptor Observations: A fantastic day with just over 4000 birds! Turkey Vultures were overwhelmingly abundant with a day total of 3889. The majority of the vultures passed by the platform before the cold front and rain hit us. Sharp-shinned Hawks, Northern Harriers, and Bald Eagles made up the majority of the other birds seen. There were also two Rough-legged Hawks seen from the platform, although they were both relatively distant. The falcon trifecta was seen with 1 Peregrine, 1 Merlin, and 11 American Kestrels.
Non-raptor Observations: There were good numbers of American Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackles moving around in the morning. An Eastern Phoebe and Eastern Meadowlark were singing on and off throughout the day. The first Barn Swallow of the season flew by in the afternoon.
Predictions: Partly cloudy skies with a high of 37F. Winds NW at 10-20mph. I'm expecting a light movement of Turkey Vultures, but not too much else mixed in. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Maili Waters (<mailirwaters...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
