Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: Eric Mueller
Observers: Cindy Rost, Lisa Burwell
Visitors: Hundreds of hikers and sightseers, and a few bikers.
Weather: Yet another warm day with clear blue skies, and light-to-medium haze in the air despite the low humidity. The biggest difference from yesterday was today's lack of wind, and what little there was came from the NNE to WNW instead of yesterday's WSW. There was a temperature inversion in the morning (53F down in Sterling, but 63F up at the summit) but no obvious haze line.
Raptor Observations: Thanks to Cindy Rost who helped out this morning, and Lisa Burwell in the afternoon. I enjoyed meeting Duck and Keisha from Arlington, and showing Duck some of the workings of the watch; I think that they'll be back. Duck spotted the first migrating bird of the day.
The temperature inversion in the morning and low wind speed all day seemed to make our area univiting to the birds. The first local bird didn't circle up until 9:30 EST, and the first migrant showed up an hour after that. On the other hand, the Mt Watatic watch had a fine day with over 100 birds counted, but they didn't come our way after that.
Non-raptor Observations: Downy WP - 1 Blue Jay - 5 (3 possibly migrating) Comm Raven - 5 BC Chickadee - 2 (didn't hear our Towhee today)
Predictions: Sunny and unseasonably warm again (62-78F), with moderate humidity. Gentle winds starting from NNE and swinging around to ENE and then to SSW by noon. This doesn't bode well for much of a flight. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
