Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Devin Banning
Observers: Andy Dickson, Gary Bletsch, Keith Stock, Mike Ceci
Visitors: Besides our observers who provided much help with the challenging and often split flight, one person stopped by to talk to Keith, and two men in button downs in a car with a Massachusetts plate completed a messy 3-point turn which puzzled us.
Weather: The count started with limited cloud cover but much higher wind speeds than forecasted. Wind speeds started at 23mph out of the south with gusts over 50, but calmed towards the end of the count and flipped to WSW. Around noon some clouds came through which provided observers with welcome shade and a backdrop which made spotting easier. Temps increased from 50F to 66F, and sun dominated the day despite some clouds.
Raptor Observations: Our first strong raptor day of the year. Ten species of raptors not counting TVs, and a very 'Buteoful' day with four species! Highlights included 11 migrating eagles, five Osprey, 58 Sharp-shinned Hawks, which is our highest total so far this year, one Red-shouldered Hawk, two Rough-legged Hawks (one light morph and one dark morph), and our first Broad-winged Hawks of the year with four! 23 Red-tailed Hawks was a good count, as was 26 American Kestrels.
Non-raptor Observations: close to 1000 Turkey Vultures, where do they keep coming from?? We have blown past our previous season record, let's keep climbing!
Non-raptors were plentiful. The highlight was a Vesper Sparrow heard singing from Site 1. Six Common Loons headed out over Lake Erie, First Bonaparte's Gull of the season, dozens of Cormorants, Common Mergansers, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfishers from Site 1 and 2, flicker migration ticked up a notch today, several Tree Swallows, Bluebirds, House Finch, Meadowlark, Thousands of blackbirds (162 RWBL, 369 BHCO, 579 COGR, 700+ blackbird sp.) Eastern Towhee singing at Site 2, Ring-necked Duck and Bufflehead. Many Killdeer.
Mourning Cloak and Red Admiral Butterflies were plentiful.
Predictions: SW Winds and warm temps in the morning followed by afternoon rain. Any flight would have to take place in the AM as rain should move in by noon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Devin Banning (<devincban...>) Ripley Hawk Watch information may be found at: www.facebook.com/groups/3193820734258889/
