Observation start time: 10:15:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 3.75 hours
Official Counter: Eric Mueller
Observers: Andrew Sharp, Leif Charbonneau
Visitors: Hundreds of weekend hikers and a few bicylists.
Weather: The overnight rain lingered longer than predicted so clouds were still very low in the morning and covered the mountain in fog until 10:30. As the clouds lifted, cumulus clouds began to form in streaks with a base at approx 5000'. There was still a fairly thick haze in the air. As the day went on, the humidity dropped, the visibility increased to reveal all of the regular landmarks, and the clouds began to disperse. Winds were solid out of the West at 8-12 mph all session with regular gusts of 16-20 mph, and frequently over 20 at the end. Temps were in the low 50's all session.
Raptor Observations: My thanks to Leif Charbonneau and Andrew Sharp who hiked up around 8 am and spent 2 hours in the thick fog waiting for me to arrive and/or for something to happen. They did manage to hear the call of a passing Evening Grosbeak and saw a flock of about 10 large finches with noticeable wing bars - likely WW Crossbills or Pine Grosbeaks.
We didn't see any migrating raptors today. I'm guessing that the morning fog, low clouds and strong West winds discouraged birds from moving today, or kept them moving below our sight lines.
The local raptors consisted of 3 Red-tails (1 Ad, 2 Juv) that popped up fairly regularly, a pair of adult Bald Eagles who tangled with each other for a a short time, and a gorgeous adult Red-shouldered Hawk that flew across the north side of the mountain in bright sunlight twice, giving us great views each time.
Non-raptor Observations: Blue Jay - 2 Comm Raven - 5 Snow Bunting - 10 Since his sightings occured before I started the official watch, Andrew will list the Grosbeak and large finch sightings on his personal eBird report.
Predictions: Sunday's forecast calls for winds from the E to ESE at 5 to 15 mph, cloudy skies and temps in the 40's and low 50's. Rain is expected about 2 pm so the watch will be shortened. East winds have been rare here in the last few weeks, so I'm not sure how the birds will react. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
