Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Thomas Filip
Observers: Nick Bolgiano
Weather: NW wind when I arrived, shifted to NNE by 10:00. Wind speed at a low 4-8mph the whole day. It started off cloudy when I arrived but completely cleared up within the next hour. Around 11:00 rain clouds started to come in, but we didn't get a drop as the clouds went around us on both sides of the ridge, giving us an interesting view. The rain finally hit the Hawk Watch just before 15:00 as I got into my car.
Raptor Observations: 1 OSPR, 184 BWHA, and 2 SSHA.
Wind conditions were not good for migrating raptors today, and yet we got our best BWHA day for the season. Perhaps they were held up last week and finally just decided to make a break for it. The largest kettle was only 11 BWHA, but we were getting some every few minutes up until the rain came in and blocked off their flight further south of us. At the end of the day, an OSPR came through low and looked like it was contemplating finding a place to land before continuing north.
It seems like last night was also unexpectedly good for nocturnal migrants. There were a lot more warblers along the trail and at the hawk watch. Just at the site, there were 3 OVEN, 2 BAWW, 1 BLBW, 1 CSWA, and 4 BTNW. Also notable was 1 BHVI, 1 RBNU, and 1 WIWR.
Predictions: Tomorrow seems like it will rain all day, so probably no count. Normally tomorrow would be the last day of the season, but we will probably be counting on Monday as it may be a good day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Thomas Filip () Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch information may be found at: tusseymountainspringhawkwatch.org/
