Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Brian Rusnica
Observers: Visitors: Tim Eddy; day hikers from Rindge, Westford, Newton and Westminster.
Weather: Hot for October, temps near 80°F with light winds from the NW that died quickly. Cloudless, bright ice-blue skies. Raptor Observations: Nice to get some Turkey Vultures into our count. As if the turning of the calendar was all the invitation they needed to kickoff migration, we saw many groups of TVs on the move today, starting with a big flock of 20 that streamed and kettled nearly the entire length of our eastern horizon. Smaller groups passed overhead throughout the morning, often kettling in the east summit's thermal. We had a season high with 4 Peregrine Falcons today; right on cue as they typically peak in early October at east coast hawkwatches. Other than that, just a handful of other migrants including some high Red-tails and Red-shoulders and just a few single Broad-wings mixed in with the crowd. Non-migrant Raptors: Turkey Vulture 14 Bald Eagle 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 4 Red-tailed Hawk 1
Non-raptor Observations: Common Raven 27
Predictions: Sub-optimal forecast: hot again, with light winds that are turning towards the SW. Tomorrow will be another game-time decision whether I'll be counting in the morning. 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...> ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian Rusnica (<brian_rusnica...>) Mount Watatic information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
