Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 13:15:00 Total observation time: 4.75 hours
Official Counter: Andy Dickson
Observers: Mike Ceci
Weather: Last of overnight rain passed at arrival at site #1a at Rt 5 with partial breaks in clouds. Moderate S wind coming down escarpment and SSW wind at site #1a on Rt 5. Decreasing clouds and warming temps until 11:24am when Winds diminished and turned W and we moved inland to find the flight. SW wind and clouds returned in the 12pm hour. At 1:07pm the wind shifted hard to NW and temperatures dropped.
Raptor Observations: The flight began early with two sharpies on arrival and built relatively quickly with the largest part of the flight happening in the 10AM hour. The BW flight then lifted extremely high with the biggest groups of birds being mixed TVs and BWs. Before noon Mike moved inland eventually to the top of the escarpment while I counted lower at Forsythe bridge. After a pause around noon and second small flight developed over I90 then shut down with the NW wind shift and temperature drop around 1pm. Fun day for Mike and me at RHW. The big BW day may still lie ahead. However, big BW #s at Derby and Braddock, as well as BWs still crossing in TX mixed with intense mid-American weather systems makes me wonder what numbers will pass during the peak mid-April season.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions: N wind, cooler temperatures and afternoon sun. Not ideal flight conditions. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Andrew J. Dickson (<adickson3...>) Ripley Hawk Watch information may be found at: www.facebook.com/groups/3193820734258889/
