Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7.25 hours
Official Counter: Kate McKay, Mark Timmerman
Observers: Chuck Carlson, David Wiedner, Mark Timmerman
Visitors: 33.
Weather: After rain in the morning delayed the start of the count, cloud cover gradually decreased and the sun came out. Windy and gusty throughout the day with temperatures not getting above 50 degrees F.
Raptor Observations: Mostly small raptors on the wing today with several sharpies drifting by, a few Merlins zooming through, and one kestrel flying sideways against the wind. At one point, a beautiful adult sharpie came in to attack Gina, the decoy owl, and another time, a lovely dark-blue male Merlin flew low by the hawkwatch.
Non-migrant raptor highlights included a juvenile Red-shoulder playing with the local ravens, a Peregrine soaring high above North Pack late in the day, and a young Red-tail diving repeatedly at Edgar Allan Pole, the decoy raven.
But the 'bird of the day' was a stunning leucistic Red-tail which appeared at five o'clock. Mostly white with a golden-brown face, this amazing bird drifted into view above the spruce trees, giving hawkwatchers only enough time to exclaim in awe and snap a few quick pictures before it flew southwest into the sun. A minute later, however, the bird circled back and spent some time near the hawkwatch, kiting directly above us and allowing for better pictures. It shone a beautiful snowy white in the sunlight as it turned circles in the sky. Eventually, it disappeared again behind Pack.
Non-raptor Observations: A group of 30 ravens were enjoying the wind today. Other songbird sightings included the season's first Pine Siskin, one Swainson's Thrush, and lots of White-throated Sparrows. Blue Jays: 4/170
Predictions: Tomorrow looks sunny and cold. It could be a good day for migrants as there will be more wind from the northwest. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kate McKay (<northernjay444...>) Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory information may be found at: www.harriscenter.org
