Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: AB
Observers:
Visitors: Scott Chambers and a friend
Weather: NNW winds peaking at the start of the count at 39-49kph. Throughout the count the winds slowly decreased finishing out the count at 12-19kph. Visibility was good for the entire count at 18km or more. Mostly cloudy skies to begin the count, but the clouds cleared out quickly for mostly sunny skies by 11:00. Low temperature of 0C at 09:00 and a high of 12C by 15:00.
Raptor Observations: BE 1 (67) SS 1 (67) RT 2 (188) AK 3 (25) UA 1 (4) Total 8 (867)
Slow day for migrants along Tussey Mountain which was to be expected in the strong NW winds. I felt lucky to spot most birds as I usually caught them out of the corner of my eye almost to go out of view. I was having trouble spotting them in the blue skies making their way to the cut. AK led the flight and were a perfect example of just seeing the small falcons before they zipped out of view. I believe they were still flying into the headwind from S to N through the cut which is why I didn’t see them approach. I spent most of the day scanning the N side of the ridge as raptors tend to be over there in NW winds.
Other than the local TUVU resident raptor activity was greatly reduced. The immature RTHA was spotted kiting in the gap at 11:08 and again several times during the count in this vicinity. At 11:37 there was a BE skirmish on Leading Ridge with 3 individuals involved.
Non-raptor Observations: Two separate COLO migrated high across Tussey Mountain from S to N. Both followed the cross-ridge route flown by sky high GE’s earlier in the season. I have an increased appreciate for their strength seeing them both motoring that high into a NW wind. Later in the afternoon two AMCR were again hauling bread stuff across the ridge from N to S.
duck sp. 3 Mourning Dove 3 Common Loon 2 Great Blue Heron 1 Black Vulture 2 Northern Flicker 1 American Crow 9 Common Raven 1 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Eastern Bluebird 1 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1
Predictions: Showers likely after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. South wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
======================================================================== Report submitted by Adam Richardson (<poecile.gambeli...>) Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch information may be found at: tusseymountainspringhawkwatch.org/
