Observation start time: 05:45:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Official Counter: Eric Mueller
Observers: Glenn Deyo, Tom Gottschang
Visitors: We were graced by the presence of Helen Blazis, a highly accomplished birder, bird-bander and naturalist, who's late husband was naturalist and Worcester T&G columnist, Mark Blazis. Tom was able to talk with her for quite a while, and we shared experiences about birds. Thanks for visiting us! Hundreds of hikers and sightseers crowded the summit on this warm October Sunday. Friend-of-the-watch Carl stopped by to say hello and spent some time scanning the skies.
Weather: The fifth day in a row with cloudless or nearly cloudless skies. Like yesterday, the winds were very light for most of the day, and the day started with a mild temperature inversion. The haze was a bit thicker than yesterday, and appeared to thicken even more as the day went on. Nothing was visible to the NW beyond Mt Grace, all of the nearby NH mountains were somewhat fuzzy, and Boston was difficult to see. Temps were an unseasonably high 62F to 78F.
Raptor Observations: My thanks to Glenn Deyo and Tom Gottschang for coming up on a day with few prospects for sightings, and still putting in their best efforts. Glenn walked up before sunrise to check for possible early risers - he thought that with the warm temps, some of the small raptors might get going early. Unfortunately, none presented themselves.
With the very light winds and temperature inversion, no birds rose up before 9:30 EST (still, an hour earlier than yesterday), but two migrating birds, a Sharpie and a Harrier, circled up before the first of the local TVs made their appearances. The highlights of the day were probably the 3 Northern Harriers that appeared within 10 minutes of each other. The first was a single female or juvenile bird, which was then followed by a pair traveling together - a Gray Ghost male and a female. The birds were able to circle to great heights, but it took them a while on the weak winds.
Non-raptor Observations: Glenn spotted a number of passerines around the summit in the 2.5 hours that he was there before the gates opened to auto traffic.
Blue Jay - 4 Comm Raven - 3 BC Chickadee - 2 T Titmouse - 1 WB Nuthatch - 1 DE Junco - 6 (minimum number) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) - 25 (a flock that rose up and flew off) E Towhee - 1
Predictions: A sixth day of little or no clouds. Temps again unseasonably warm, ranging from 63 F to 79 F, and moderate humidity. Much stronger winds than the past few days - 8-10 mph, unfortunately from the WSW, but at least the birds will have something to work with for lift. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
