Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Maili Waters
Observers: Bob Crandall, Bridget Watts, Daena Ford, Luke Seitz,
Mike Tetlow, Mitch Barry, Shelly Rackovsky, Tim Willis
Visitors:
12
Weather:
Today was a chilly yet productive day for raptor migration! The morning
started off in the 20s with light west winds and clear blue skies. As the
morning progressed, a few clouds moved in, but it stayed mostly sunny all
day. Around noon the winds shifted to SW and the flight picked up
substantially. Just after 2pm the lake breeze kicked in and we moved the
watch to Frisbee Hill. After around two hours at Frisbee, the southerly
winds increased a bit and pushed the birds toward the lakeshore again, so
we ended the day back at Braddock Bay Park. Temps reached a high of 39F.
Raptor Observations:
The day ended with a total of 579 raptors representing 11 different
species! Turkey Vultures were the most numerous species today with a total
of 419. Quite a few Bald Eagles were moving today, some in groups of up to
7 or 8, and we ended the day with a total of 61. Red-tailed Hawks (48),
Red-shouldered Hawks (21), and Cooper�s Hawks (10) were also moving in
decent numbers. We were excited to see a Rough-legged Hawk and four Golden
Eagles!
Non-raptor Observations:
The first Fox Sparrow of the season was feeding along the hedge row. A
Trumpeter Swan flew by at close range providing excellent views.
Predictions:
Tomorrow�s weather: Cloudy. Light south winds in the morning become
slightly stronger ESE in the afternoon with a chance of the lake breeze
taking over, although upper level winds look like they�ll still be S or
even SW later in the day. Temps will reach a high of 47F. Honestly I�m not
sure what tomorrow will look like in terms of raptor migration! I am
expecting some Turkey Vultures to be on the move, and probably a handful of
other species, but numbers will depend on how overcast it is and if the
lake breeze takes over.
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Report submitted by Maili Waters (<mailirwaters...>)
Braddock Bay information may be found at:
http://www.bbrr.org/
