Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 3.45 hours
Official Counter: Brian Rusnica
Observers: Visitors: None
Weather: Summit caught in the clouds to start, but quickly clearing after 9am EDT. Warm with strong SW winds, cloudless. Raptor Observations: A handful of Sharp-shinned Hawks, Osprey and some Broad-wings in singles and doubles showed up for this abbreviated morning-only count. Non-migrant Raptors Turkey Vulture 24 Bald Eagle 4 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Non-raptor Observations: Common Raven 21
Predictions: So ends our planned September coverage at Mount Watatic; any hawk counts from here on out will be incidental but most certainly welcomed. We're now outside the traditional window for big Broad-winged Hawk flights, but the next two days look like decent conditions for the last of them to be moving through. October and November on Mt. Watatic will see the departure of Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, as well as migratory peaks for accipitrine species and falcons. Late-season Watatic offer some of the best opportunities for birders to add American Goshawk and Golden Eagle to your Massachusetts state list, especially on days with strong NW winds. If you count any hawks the remainder of the year, please email me with your sightings to <14hawks8owls...> Thanks for following along this month! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian Rusnica (<brian_rusnica...>) Mount Watatic information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
