Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Kate McKay
Observers: Andre Moraes, Chuck Carlson, Glen, Lori, and Alan Chretien, Hillary Siener, Jim McCoy, Mike Gebo
Visitors: 181. Lots of visitors enjoying the holiday weekend, with many curious about the hawkwatch. Hello again to Silas.
Weather: Patchy fog during the morning followed by one short drizzle, and then plenty of sunshine for the afternoon. Temperature was a chilly 50 degrees in the morning but it reached 57 degrees by late afternoon. Light north wind, becoming stronger in the afternoon and occasionally shifting to the northwest.
Raptor Observations: Excellent migration day for this early in the season! In fact, today was the biggest day for the first week of September in the history of the regular count. Steady flow of sharpies and broad-wings (including a few kettles), with a diversity of other raptor species mixed in. Birds continued to fly late in the day, so we counted a half hour longer than usual.
Fun behavior observations included a Merlin checking out Gina, another Merlin catching and releasing a Monarch, and a raven and sharpie playfully diving on one another.
Non-raptor Observations: Two male Black-throated Blue Warblers perched together on the same branch, posing for pictures. Other highlights included a couple Chimney Swifts flying through, a Black-and-white Warbler playing hide and seek in the undergrowth, and several hummingbirds zipping by.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds: 8/36 Monarchs: 31/139
Predictions: Looks like a good day tomorrow: warm and sunny with a nice northwest wind. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kate McKay (<northernjay444...>) Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory information may be found at: www.harriscenter.org
