Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Devin Banning
Observers: Andy Dickson, Emilee Davis, Janet Chew, Katelyn Davis, Kirk , Margaret Gray, Mike Ceci
Visitors: Complete list of observers - Andy Dickson, Devin Banning, Katelyn Davis, Emilee Davis, Mike Ceci, Janet Chew, Margaret Gray, Landon Gray, Kirk Szklenski. We also had a few visitors who inquired about what we were doing during the huge TV push close to 2pm. They stayed and got to enjoy the flight!
Weather: On arrival, strong SSE winds which persisted until a slight wind shift to S around 10:30am. Weather was consistent during the count with mostly cloudy skies containing patches of thinner clouds which allowed the sun to shine through and fuel the flight. At exactly 2pm the wind shifted to WNW and the temperature instantly dropped from 71 down to the low 50s. It was the quickest temperature drop that some of the observers had ever seen. Soon after this wind shift rain moved in which ended the flight.
Raptor Observations: A tremendous raptor day with exactly 1900 Broad-winged Hawks fueled by a strong push of over 800 in the hour before the front. smaller raptors were well represented with 172 SSs and 53 AKs. Five OS, seven migrant BEs (several locals), 16 NHs, 9 CHs, 1 ML, 8 RTs. The flight began split, with smaller birds passing over north of Site 1 and TVs and BWs passing through over I-90, which was confusing since the strong S winds should have kept the entire flight over site 1. Eventually, the flight did consolidate over Site 1, but gained in height until even TVs were beyond naked eye! Huge kettles of over 100 BWs.
Non-raptor Observations: Another day with over 1000 TVs! A push of over 400 right before the front excited observers. Wood Ducks, many Cormorants and Great Blue Herons, FOY Chimney Swift, three yellowlegs sp., six Common Loons flying high, Common Raven, around 100 Horned Larks, Tree, Northern Rough-Winged, and Barn Swallows, thousands of blackbirds flying through, mainly BHCO today, Chipping Sparrows, and more!
Predictions: Cold with strong W winds. Could a few birds move even in the cold? We will see. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Devin Banning (<devincban...>) Ripley Hawk Watch information may be found at: www.facebook.com/groups/3193820734258889/
