Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours
Official Counter: Greg Grove, Jen Lee
Observers: Connor Schmitt
Visitors: Greg and Paulina Burgdorf
Weather: Moderate NW wind and 100% thick, low clouds to start. Slowly thinned and lifted. Didn't see sun til afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Slow morning with one major highlight. Dark morph Swainson's Hawk observed at 11:02am for about 2 minutes. The bird was spotted to the north crossing that valley, approaching the platform. It crossed down ridge and continued over south valley toward Jacks Mt. The gray clouds made color observation difficult. With binocs appeared dark overall but not black. With scope (Connor) saw some reddish-brown on body. Redtail sized but longer, pointier, and a little narrower wings, held in a slight dihedral most of the time. No white rump. Tail longer than a buteo but not as long as a Harrier. Wing beats were casual but purposeful. Other raptors: 2 adult BAEA, 1 F/I N.Harrier (first bird 8:44). Several TVs, Redtails, 4 imm. BAEA not counted.
Non-raptor Observations: 1 GB Heron crossed the ridge, 28 Cormorants, 2 C.Geese, robins, cedar ww, pileated, downy, hairy, n.flicker, ravens. blue jays, goldfinch, towhees, starlings. Bluebird, c.wren, chickadees. 3 hearty Monarchs! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Greg Grove (<gwg2...>)
