Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Rob Woodward
Observers:
Visitors: 13 quiet and short-visiting visitors.
Weather: Some haze, mostly clear skies with some cumulus developing by late morning but then disappearing; light NW winds at first then turning SE by 11:30 detrimentally; then shifting to NW at 2:00; warm, 57 - to low 70's.
Raptor Observations: Another good count at Alton Bay. Broad-wings started early during the 9:00 hour and exploded at 11:00 but then screeched to a halt at 11:30 when winds shifted to the SE. I started to leave at 2:00 after not seeing any BWHA since 11:30 when suddenly, and, I say, miraculuously, the winds blew from the NW and Broad-wings reappeared. Wind direction is everything in this business.
Non-raptor Observations: Red Crossbills are around as at Pack. An odd flock of 20 Double-crested Cormorants rode a thermal in front of the Ossipees. 11 Monarchs and a nice black edged Pink-edged Sulphur.
Predictions: Tomorrow's forecast calls for unfavorable SW winds, giving me the day off. Sunday may be rained out. But Monday looks big. I don't mean "blockbuster" or "flight of the century" big but look for some big numbers. I like how things are coming along so far this season and Monday could be a break- out day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Rob Woodward (<toucanrob...>)
