Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 13:45:00 Total observation time: 5.75 hours
Official Counter: Jerry McWilliams
Observers: Jerry McWilliams, Julie Leonard
Visitors: Julie Leonard assisted with the count. Visitors included Karen Gutowski, Brian Berchtold, and Brett Vath who helped spot birds, and his wife Rhonda.
Weather: Mostly cloudy with sun at times, south wind early becoming NE by afternoon and warmer than yesterday.
Raptor Observations: It was a slow start with few birds the first hour, then the flight picked up with vultures moving very close to the lake and often below the bluff, then as the day progressed, they gained altitude and when the wind shifted to the NE they moved well inland and nearly out of sight.
Non-raptor Observations: Highlight was a Common Raven circling high overhead as well as four westbound Sandhill Cranes. Double-crested Cormorant 33, Canada Goose 5, Wood Duck 2, American Crow, red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed cowbird, Tree Swallow 6, Killdeer 1, Herring and Ring-billed Gull, European Starling, Mourning Dove, Rock Pigeon, and American Robin
Predictions: Maybe a good day if there are birds left in the pipeline, since it will be warmer with SSW, some clouds, then rain in the evening.
Jerry McWillams Erie, Erie County, Pa. <jerrymcw...>
