Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carolyn Holland, Chase Wilkinson, Frank Rohrbacher, Joe Swertinski, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Mike Moore
Visitors: 14
Weather: Some morning clouds but otherwise sunny. Moderate to strong WNW winds. Fairly warm but felt chilly with the wind.
Raptor Observations: Exactly a hundred migrants for the day but felt a bit slow overall. Half the flight was Turkey Vultures. Two Ospreys were seen at the same time in the morning then one (probably one of the same two) was seen again in the afternoon over the creek. Two harriers in the last hour. A moderate Accip flight with 14 sharpies and 8 Coops, with reports of both species taking Purple Finches at the bird blind. A handful of Buteos with 6 red-shoulders and 10 red-tails. One kestrel and two Merlins. Spotting was difficult with the blue skies but not many birds seemed to be high overhead with the strong winds.
Non-raptor Observations: 70 Canada Geese, 56 Double-crested Cormorants, 2 Common Ravens, 40+ Purple Finches, Rusty Blackbird, 15,000+ Common Grackles, no monarchs. https://ebird.org/checklist/S282908197
A female EVENING GROSBEAK was seen at the bird blind in the afternoon but was not found again despite multiple observers checking.
Predictions: Tomorrow: Sunny with a few afternoon clouds. High 67F. Winds SSW at 10-20mph. An unfavorable wind direction to motivate raptors to migrate, but good conditions for raptors to be up and flying and should be a warm day to be out, though the wind will be a bit on the strong side. Expect light to moderate migration.
Thursday: Generally sunny. High 56F. Winds NW at 10-20mph. Good winds, but spotting may be tough with the blue skies. Expect moderate migration.
Friday: Partly cloudy then overcast. High 62F. Winds S at 10-20mph. Expect light to moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
