Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9.25 hours
Official Counter: Maili Waters
Observers: Amy O'Neill , Dale Drexel, Liam Waters , Mike Tetlow,
Tim Willis, Vid Killius
Visitors:
9
Weather:
The day started off partly foggy with temps in the 50s and light south
winds. Cloudy skies produced some rain between 10am and 11am. After the
rain passed, the winds shifted to WSW and it really warmed up, with temps
reaching a high of 75F. Around 2pm the lake breeze kicked in, temps
dropped, and the flight shifted slightly inland. However, the SW winds were
putting up a good fight and the birds didn�t drift out of sight. Heavy rain
hit just after 4pm ending the flight.
Raptor Observations:
The first few hours of the morning were quite slow with the exception of
one very exciting moment when a Short-eared Owl flew in off the lake (a
first for the season)! After the rain passed at around 11am, the flight
dramatically increased. The flight lines were very high today with the main
line over the lake side. Broad-winged Hawks were the predominant species
with a total of just over 5,000 birds! We continue to have good numbers of
Sharp-shinned Hawks on the move with over 400 birds. The 9th (!) Black
Vulture of the season passed by with a kettle of Turkey Vultures. Overall,
the day was amazing with the sheer number of birds migrating over us!
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptors: Several Eastern Meadowlarks were flying around and singing all
morning. 7 American Tree Sparrows were on the seed today. An early Green
Heron flew over the bay heading east.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Maili Waters (<mailirwaters...>)
Braddock Bay information may be found at:
http://www.bbrr.org/
