Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: Eric Mueller
Observers: Al Hinde, Alf Wilson, Cindy Rost, David Goodine, Jack Miano, Janet Kovner, Jim Kirchhoffer, Joanne Hart, Lisa Burwell, Mark Milnamow, Scott Wahlstrom, Steve Farrell, Ted Purcell, Ursula Goodine
Visitors: Along with the usual dozens of hikers, bikers and sightseers, the senior and freshman classes of Worcester Academy spent over an hour on the summit (at least 250 students and teachers.)
Weather: Another foggy start to the day at the summit as the solid west winds drove warm humid up the side of the mountain where it condensed just below the top. The fog dispersed around 9 am EST and visibility for the rest of the day was very good. The 8-12 mph West wind continued until about noon when it began to slow down to the 4-7 mph range and sometimes lower. Fairly solid stratus clouds blocked quite a bit of the sun in the morning, but gave way to cumulus clouds and more sunshine around noon. Temps rose from 63 F to 75 F.
Raptor Observations: We had a nice turnout of observers today. Along with the folks listed above, we got help from Oliver David from RI, Tom Cosgrove, Seth Anderson and Kristine Cataneo. Thanks to everyone who chipped in!
The day started very slowly - we spotted only one raptor, a local TV, in the first 90 minutes of the watch, and things only really got started after 11 am EST. The big Broad-wing push that we were hoping for after two days of rain never materialized. We had two small kettles of 9 & 10 birds. The Ospreys however were moving in nice numbers. The birds were getting plenty of lift in the late morning and afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations: gull sp - 1 (largish. It just barely avoided being killed by an adult eagle that pursued it vigorously mid-air for well over a minute) Blue Jay - 2 Comm Raven - 4 BC Chickadee - 2 Gr Catbird - 1 Amer Goldfinch - 1 DE Junco - 8 (minimum number) E Towhee - 1
Predictions: Mild NNW to NW winds to start the day, changing over to SW around 1 pm EDT. Partly to mostly cloudy, with temps from 63 F to 74 F. Moderate humidity. We're hoping that the early 3-5 mph winds are enough to entice the birds to move in our direction. The slightly stronger SW winds in the afternoon shouldn't be much of a deterrent. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
