Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Kate McKay
Observers: Annamarie Saenger, Chuck Carlson, Phil Brown, Tom Momeyer
Visitors: 65, including a group of twenty from Mass Audubon. Hello to Laurie!
Weather: Partly sunny with variable cloud cover and temperatures in the sixties. Relentless wind from the west, gusting to over 30 mph at times. (Spotting scopes had to be weighted down so they wouldn't tip over.) Hazy in the morning, becoming clear during late afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Apparently few birds felt like flying in the strong wind. The first bird was a sharpie getting blown past the mountain right at 9am. Later, a young sharpie came into Gina (the decoy owl) and then flew a few feet away from observers as it continued on. The local Merlin almost caught a hummingbird but decided against it at the last moment.
Non-raptor Observations: Two Chimney Swifts zipped over and three Cedar Waxwings flew by close. Just before 5pm, ten Common Nighthawks were spotted flying fast over North Pack towards the southeast. Insect species included Autumn Meadowhawk and Red-spotted Admiral.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds: 6/53 Monarchs: 2/183
Predictions: More sunshine, slightly cooler temperatures, and lighter wind from the northwest. The birds have no excuse not to migrate. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kate McKay (<northernjay444...>) Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory information may be found at: www.harriscenter.org
