Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Nate Marchessault
Observers: Chuck Carlson
Visitors: 99 visitors today. Despite it being slow on the raptor front, it was a great day for raptor education, with many curious visitors. Thanks to Steve, Mary, and Chuck for keeping me company at the hawkwatch and scanning empty skies for raptors.
On this day in Pack history... 2011: Eagle time! Ken Klapper: "Holy cow. Two immature Golden Eagles (at 10:50 and 16:15) making for an astounding two-day run for the first week of October. The first bird "returned" a few minutes after we lost sight of it, to attack a 3rd year Bald Eagle that was doing its best to imitate another immature Goldie. Soon a 1st/2nd year Bald Eagle appeared near Crotched Mountain - 3 eagles of two different species were simultaneously visible from Pack! A pair of Peregrine Falcons, an immature Goshawk, and an Osprey rounded out our "big bird" day."
Weather: Seasonably warm, clear skies, slight haze, and a steady breeze from the southwest. Temps cracked 24 C at the summit and stayed there for most of the afternoon. Other than the temperature, conditions stayed consistent other than a few wispy clouds in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: This was the second day of unproductive winds, and most of the motivated birds must have moved yesterday. By 11:30, the excitement was that we might beat the recent record of no raptors observed until 12:38, but a sharpie moved through to put a migrating raptor on the board. Other than a few sharpies, a few eagles and an Osprey were the only clearly migrating raptors today.
Non-raptor Observations: Today was my first day on the mountain since last Monday, and the number of White-throated Sparrows and juncos has increased significantly. A tiger swallowtail making a quick appearance was nice to see, maybe the last of the year!
Monarchs: 1/496
Predictions: Similar to today but cloudy, with a chance of precipitation. Might be another snoozer for migrating hawks, but you never know... ======================================================================== Report submitted by Nate Marchessault (<nate...>) Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory information may be found at: www.harriscenter.org
