Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Andy Ednie, Frank Rohrbacher, Joe Swertinski, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Mike Fowles, Sheryl Johnson, Walt Blackwell
Visitors: 12
Weather: Mostly sunny with a thin partial cirrus layer early but becoming nearly overcast in the afternoon. Moderate southerly winds with occasional strong gusts. Barometric pressure rapidly dropping. Very warm with a high around 66F.
Raptor Observations: Turkey Vultures made up the bulk of the migration with around forty, with half of those coming in the first hour. Small numbers of other expected migrants. Some Bald Eagles flying with four counted as migrating. Two harriers including one that cruised by below eye level as the first migrant of the day. A few Accips migrating and many more hunting. Five red-shoulders and 6 red-tails including one 'northern'. A Merlin gave us a nice look as it perched nearby before it took off towards the blind (a sharpie did the same thing a short while after). The flight slowed significantly in the afternoon as it clouded over.
Non-raptor Observations: Morning bird blind: Pine Siskin, 30+ Purple Finches, Lincoln's Sparrow (no tail), Hermit Thrush https://ebird.org/checklist/S282973312
Hawk Watch: 10 Wood Ducks, 3 Mallards, Common Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, 500+ American Robins, 200+ Cedar Waxwings, 25 Purple Finches, 9 Rusty Blackbirds, no monarchs. https://ebird.org/checklist/S283039827
Predictions: Tomorrow: Sunny. High 56F. Winds NW at 10-20mph. Great winds, but blue skies may make spotting difficult. Classic fall hawk watching conditions. Expect moderate migration.
Friday: Mix of sun and clouds. High 63F. Winds S at 10-20mph. Expect light to moderate migration.
Saturday: Intervals of clouds and sun. High 67F. Winds W at 10-15mph. Expect light to moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
