Observation start time: 06:45:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 6.25 hours
Official Counter: Bob Secatore
Observers: Dick Hughes, John Cannizzo, Julie Roberts, Paul Roberts
Visitors: Andrea Cannizzo, Harry Wales, Nora & Bruce Buttrick, Amy Maurer, Judd Nathan, Liz & Harris Stein.
Weather: Initial northwest winds of 13 mph steadily rose throughout the watch to 20+ mph with temps rising from 12 deg C to 18 deg C. Virtually zero cloud cover throughout most of watch period. Visibility about 15 K.
Raptor Observations: We counted 18 migrant raptors today: 2 SS, 1 NH, 3 AK and 12 ML. With northwest winds of these velocities, we naturally anticipated that mostly Kestrels would be on the roster. Is the fact that few showed up any indication that there are now precious few still in the pipeline south of us? Nonetheless, the preponderance of Merlins today was a welcome consolation prize.
Raptors that appeared but failed to migrate: 1 imm BE, 3 TV, 2 NH, several resident OS.
Non-raptor Observations: Other birds: 3 Hummingbirds, at least one Fish Crow (vocalization), 2 Ravens, 7 Am Crows, 2 Common Terns, 2 Great Egrets, 24 D-c Cormorants and 8 Blue Jays. Also, for the first 2 hours of watch a fairly steady stream of small (i.e., warbler size) passerines passed but thereafter largely disappeared.
Predictions: SW and SSW winds, weak (4 mph) at the start but rising rather quickly to 10 to 15 mph with temps low 50s to 70 deg Fahrenheit and sunny skies throughout. These winds hold promise for additional Sharp-shins and we're hopeful that any late comers south of us will make an appearance. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Secatore (<rs8843829...>) Plum Island MA information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
