Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 4.75 hours
Official Counter: Mark Morris
Observers: Cindy Rost, Dallas Wait, Joanne Hart
Visitors: Thanks to the observers listed above for perservering in the low-light conditions. We also got valuable help from David Proietti and Dorothy Maece. Bob Heppler and Chris Holmes stopped by to see how things were going.
Weather: Partly sunny skies at the outset with increasing clouds to complete overcast at conclusion. Temperatures ranged from 70-78 F. Winds were very light from the South - calm to 7mph. Visibility was limited with persistent haze and some intermittent low clouds. Showers imminent to the West led to our early departure. Raptor Observations: Today�s weather seemed less than appealing to migrating Raptors in our area. Locals TV�s rose up together in the first hour and proceeded to provide the most attention, continually circling the summit. We had local Red Shoulders, Red Tails, and a local Broad Wing testing our skills in marginal light. The 2 migrating Kestrels gave us good views, passing low just past the platform.
In celebration of our 50th anniversary year on Wachusett, here's a look back at events on this date: In 1981, the largest American Kestrel flight ever (53) and the 6th largest Sharp-shinned Hawk flight (158) at Wachusett Mt
In 1982, the largest American Goshawk flight ever (5) at Wachusett Mt
In 1984, the 2nd largest Broad-wing Hawk flight (17,415) and the 2nd largest total raptor flight (17,517) at Wachusett Mt
In 1987, the 6th largest Broad-wing flight (10,095) and the 6th largest total raptor flight (10,226) at Wachusett Mt
In 2002, Jane Stein wrote: "A disappointing day initially, with about 50 birds/hour, until about 2:45 PM EST, when Broadwings suddenly started appearing in good numbers and continued till around 4 before tapering off. Flight was disorganized and very difficult to monitor and count, with loose kettles forming and reforming, birds coming into and out of kettles at all heights, bypassing them entirely either above or below, etc." (Eric�s note: 2,181 total raptors, including 2,085 Broad-wings, 43 Sharp-shins and 34 Ospreys) "Two notable birds-- a male AK (presumably a HY bird, since it tried to eat a passing Monarch) was observed around noon EST packing an antenna on his back. And a dark-morph Broadwing was clearly seen low and in excellent light by several observers around 4 PM EST."
In 2015, the 15th largest Broad-wing flight (5,433) and the 15th largest total raptor flight (5,506) at Wachusett Mt
In 2023, the 14th largest Broad-wing flight (6,395) and the 14th largest total raptor flight (6,453) at Wachusett Mt. Eric Mueller wrote: "The Broad-wings started coming through in small numbers for the first 90 minutes, and then the kettles started to come through in earnest. As the wind shifted to W and WSW, many of the Broad-wings began approaching us from almost due East, and a fair number passed by us to the South. Although many birds were spotted far out and far up, an unusually large number streamed by low enough that we could use the radio towers as counting posts. We had at least 14 kettles/streams of 100 birds or more, including groups of approx. 180, 200, 300, 400 and 800 birds each. Quite a few kettles streamed off high up, only to kettle up again still quite high up, which probably indicated strong thermal activity. Ospreys came by in better numbers than usual."
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: Chimney Swift-3, Blue Jay-3, Comm Raven-7, G.Catbird-1, warbler Species-3, E.Towhee-4 (2 ad., 2 juv.)
Predictions: Hopefully a much better count on Friday. A weak cold front will pass through overnight, bringing slightly lower temps and humidity, with sunny skies and solid 9-10 mph NNW to NW winds. NW winds typically bring us good flights. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
