Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 3.75 hours
Official Counter: Brian Rusnica
Observers: Visitors: None
Weather: Brisk to start, with a stiff ENE wind that quickly faded. High overcast, becoming mostly cloudy by end. Raptor Observations: Three days of easterly winds have seemingly cleared the migrant raptors from the area. This morning's skies were almost exclusively dominated by local birds, including some Red-tailed Hawks loudly exchanging mid-air pleasantries with vultures, ravens and a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk. Just a few distant Broad-wings seemed to have been left behind and got up with the morning lift-off. With no rainouts in the long-term forecast, I took a chance to grab some rest for the next few days of counts and called off the watch around 1pm EDT. Non-migrant Raptors: Turkey Vulture 18 Bald Eagle 7 Red-tailed Hawk 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 2
Non-raptor Observations: Common Raven 25
Notable Summit birds: Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Predictions: Possible showers early as the offshore low drags some precipitation through the state. Afterwards, clearing skies and an end to the easterlies will be a welcome change. Forecasts seem to have differing opinions on tomorrow's wind but agree on some degree of a westerly component. Unclear if tomorrow's conditions will necessarily loosen up the migrants, but hopeful eyes are cast on Friday and the weekend as a cold front blows through. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian Rusnica (<brian_rusnica...>) Mount Watatic information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
