Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Julie Brown, Phil Brown
Observers: Nora Hanke
Visitors: 13.
Weather: Crisp and beautiful late fall day. Mostly sunny with partial cloud cover and a steady, moderate wind of 10-15 mph from the WNW. Temps eventually rising to the freezing point, but the sun kept things warmer. Distant snow-covered mountains in northern NH and VT came in and out of view due to low clouds north and west.
Raptor Observations: Steady movement of Red-tails moving along the western ridge and across the Contoocook Valley. Otherwise, a couple of Bald Eagles and a single Red-shouldered Hawk moving.
Non-raptor Observations: At around 11:30 am, Julie and Nora spotted a gray, medium-sized songbird flying in from the east. The Observatory's third-record of a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE put down briefly in several perches, long enough for Nora to get some photos and video, before making its way further down the ridge. With not more than a couple dozen state records, it's safe to say Pack is the hotspot in the state for this rare species from the intermountain west! The other observations were from 10/28/17 and 11/6/23. A consolation prize for the latecomer afternoon counter was two calling White-winged Crossbills. 65 Canada Geese, 3 Snow Buntings. In local news from the mammalian world, there are now at least THREE cottontails feeding on the seed pile near the counter's feet.
Predictions: Conditions look to remain favorable tomorrow and through the end of the season on Thursday! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Phil Brown (<brown...>) Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory information may be found at: www.harriscenter.org
