Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 3.5 hours
Official Counter: Jerry McWilliams
Observers: Amar Ayyash, Jennifer Ferrick, Julie Leonard, Roger Donn
Visitors: Today was the Festival of the Birds event, so I was delighted to have many observers and visitors. Julie Leonard opened the watch and helped other identify raptors while I was leading a field trip. Among the many assistants, were Jennifer Ferrick, Roger Donn, and the events guest speaker, gull expert and author of The Gull Guide North America, Amar Ayyash. We had at least 20 visitors and temporary assistants including Zainab Altamimi, Anna Merinescu, Theresa Konzel, Tom Finegan, and Judy Hill.
Weather: Variably cloudy becoming cloudy with a steady SSW wind and mild temps.
Raptor Observations: It was a slow start, but by the 1000 hour EST birds began to pick up with a nice late season flight of BWs and BEs. Despite the strong winds, the birds were all over the place and at different altitudes. The flight shut down when a storm arrived near the beginning of the 1200 hour EST.
Non-raptor Observations: Tree Swallow, Double-crested Cormorant, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Chimney Swift, Red-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Common Loon.
Predictions: Conditions about the same as today, so if there are any birds left, we may get another flight.Jerry McWilliamsErie, Erie County, <Pa.jerrymcw...>
