Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: Eric Mueller
Observers: Ed Bogle, Jack Miano, John Milhaven, Katie Durham, Marion Larson, Scott Handler, Tom Gottschang
Visitors: About 30 boys from St Johns school in Danvers, a small bus from a senior citizens center, and probably 50 other sightseers.
Weather: Mostly sunny with thin cirrus clouds all day, and some cumulus clouds in the afternoon. Temps from 62F to 74F, humid air. Northeast winds nearly all day, 1-3 mph for the first two hours, then 4-7 mph with gusts to 10-12 mph midday. Hazy air made ID'ing some of the more distant birds a challenge.
Raptor Observations: We had a small but dedicated crew today. In addition to those listed above, we got help from Dave, Tom, Leslie, Louise Outler, Judy Anthony and Pat Hood. Thanks to you all for helping out on this frustrating day!
Northeast winds (arrgh!) have become the bane of our existence here. We were expecting at least some of the 4,000+ birds seen at Clarry Hill yesterday, but instead got the lowest count in almost a week. The Mt Watatic watch also had an unexpectedly low count today as well, so we'll have to check sites north and west of us to see where the birds went. Broad-wings topped the today's list (such as it was) with 8 birds sighted. Most of the day was spent following the antics of the local birds.
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: Grt Blue Heron - 1 RT Humm - 1 MODO - 2 Blue Jay - 1 Comm Raven - 4 BC Chickadee- 2 DE Junco - 2
Predictions: Temps in the 60's, mostly cloudy, and gentle to moderate winds starting from NE (again?) and moving to ESE (adding insult to injury) by 2 pm EDT. Wake me when its over... ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
