Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Bob Secatore, Ted Mara
Observers: Bob Secatore , Dick Hughes, Judd Nathan, Kathryn Chihowski, Leslie Kramer, Paul Roberts, Peter Duffy, Ted Mara, Tom Graham
Visitors: Margo Goetschkes, Jodie Krisiak, John Raleigh, Steve Mangione.
Weather: Stiff northwest winds during the entire watch period were effective in driving migrants, especially AKs, up against the coast and onto Plum Island where we could count them. Temps in the low 40s and cloudless skies prevailed. Raptor Observations: We had with a total count of 161 birds including 9 TVs, 7 NHs (2 adult males & 1 adult female), 135 AKs (20 females & 17 males) and 10 MLs (1 adult male). The vast majority of AKs were seen flying northward along the beach to the east of our platform, presumably having been blown up against the shoreline by the stiff sustained NW wind. The raptors that were seen but failed to migrate included an adult Swainson's Hawk that showed up twice during the watch, both times providing excellent extended views of this attractive raptor. An indeterminate number of Harriers (including at least 2 adult males) milled around in the dunes south of us without migrating through. An adult BE, several TVs and an Osprey also failed to migrate.
Non-raptor Observations: Other birds; Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds moved through in lesser numbers than they have been recently. 3 Tree Swallows, 10 Black Ducks, 4 DC Cormorants.
Predictions: Unfavorable easterly winds all day with temps in the 30s and low 40s. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Secatore (<rs8843829...>) Plum Island MA information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
