Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Katelyn Davis, Michael Ceci
Observers: Devin Banning, Mike Ceci
Visitors: Mike Ceci stopped by and took over the last hour of the count.
Weather: Perhaps the most fickle weather I have ever seen at RHW! Upon arrival Winds were out of the S and sun blanketed the watch, quickly that changed. By 1000 some light precipitation had moved through and winds shifted westerly. At one point during the 1000 hour, the Parker Rd windmill showed W, the windmill east of that showed S, and there was a northerly breeze at Site 1! Rounds of precipitation continued throughout the count period. Temps remained in the 50s. The Parker Rd windmill was occasionally reading an easterly wind, but would then flip back to NW. The wind flipped to N around 12:30pm, and then back S by 1pm. The rain was too frequent and after the 1100 we did not see another substantial push.
Raptor Observations: Three AKs and couple CHs. The highlight was a gray ghost NH that flew low over site 2. Resident Bald Eagles and AKs at Sites 1 and 2.
The tree that has held the Red-tailed Hawk nest at Site 2 for years either fell or was deliberately cut down, unfortunately.
Non-raptor Observations: TV flight line established south of Site 2, but since conditions at Site 3 are so messy, and also since we could see everything perfectly fine from Site 2, we decided to stay put.
Eastern Meadowlark, at least 1,063 Red-winged Blackbirds, 644 Common Grackles, 127 Brown-headed Cowbirds. Three Eastern Meadowlarks at Site 1, Horned Larks, many Killdeer. Double-crested Cormorants, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Great Blue Heron. At the Forsyth Rd. Pond we had Geese, Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead, and Hooded Mergansers.
Predictions: Not looking good. Cold and northerly winds usually doesn't produce a flight. Tuesday, Wednesday, and especially Thursday look promising! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Devin Banning (<devincban...>) Ripley Hawk Watch information may be found at: www.facebook.com/groups/3193820734258889/
