Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Bill Rasku
Observers: Christine Restell
Visitors: It was fairly busy up on the summit. A couple from Nashville stopped by, as well as a number of families and seniors.
Peter the bicyclist, who hang glides as well, thinks we should all do tandem hang glides from Tanner-Hiller Airport in Barre...only about $185 to get to see the hawks up close and ride some thermals. Yeah, maybe...
Weather: Strong winds all day. Morning bands of very low clouds, in valleys NW and S to E. Quite hazy in the morning with all mountains visible and Boston as well, but Patuckaways not visible. Winds stronger in the morning from SSW to SW averaging 9-10 with gusts to 15-20. Afternoon clearer but still with some haze as the humidity dropped precipitously, and a few clouds, but only to the north. Temp steadily increased from 19 C at 8:20 EST to 26 C by 3 PM. Afternoon featured more lulls in wind but the average was still around 10 mph with gusts to 15 mph or more. Clouds from 2% to less than 1% in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Bill and Christine endured a very windy day, but the winds were all from the wrong direction - SW to SSW. The few birds that braved the wind didn't start coming up until after 10 am EST (11 am EDT). Warren Ferguson lent a hand for the last 2 hours of the watch.
The local TV's and Red-tails were quite active, and a Black Vulture made an appearance. The juvenile Red-tails harassed the ravens from time to time.
Non-migrating raptors: Black Vulture - 1 TV - 5 Bald Eagle - 2 (Ad & Imm) Red-tail - 3 (1 Ad & 2 Juv)
Non-raptor Observations: Downy WP - 1 Blue Jay - 1 Comm Raven - 3 DE Junco - multiple
Predictions: Another day of strong SW winds with temps in the mid-60's to upper 70's. Moderate humidity. After 6 straight days of clear blue skies, there will finally be some clouds in the sky to making our sightings easier. Just have to tough this one out until the cold front and rain passes through on Wednesday and brings us solid NW winds on Thursday. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
