Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Bill Rasku
Observers: Al Hinde, Al Sgroi, Alf Wilson, Carole Powers, Cindy Rost, Dallas Wait, David Brown, Deb Gustafson, Eric Mueller, Jack Miano, Jean Hampel, Jim Kirchhoffer, Joanne Hart, Joe Fountain, Julie Roberts, Julie Yong, Lisa Burwell, Marilyn Cugini, Megan Gately, Paul Roberts, Paul Vanderhoof, Peter Alden, Rick Quimby, Ron Schlegel, Scott Carlson, Scott Wahlstrom, Steve Farrell, Steve Jelinek, Susan Moses, Ted Purcell, Tom Gottschang
Visitors: Many thanks to our big crew of observers. We also got help from Ken Cormier and several people whose names we didn't record - our apologies. There were also around 80 students from the Applewild School and 40 from Salem Academy, plus the usual contingent of hikers and sightseers.
Weather: The Weather Channel again had two important things wrong with today's forecast, but both were in our favor. Instead of clear blue skies and 9-10 mph NW winds, we had a nice amount of cloud cover and only 5-6 mph winds. Both factors helped us find and view the passing raptors more easily. Temperatures hung in the mid-60's to low 70's, and the humidity dropped as the day went along so that Mt Greylock finally appeared mid-day, and only the mid-NH mountains weren't easily seen.
Raptor Observations: Finally, a big day on the mountain - our first this season with over 1,000 migrating raptors. Broad-wings started to appear in numbers just before 11 am EST with rapid fire kettles of 64, 134 and 108 birds, and then an hour later with kettles of 104, 21, 34 and 59, and even more between 2:15 to 3:30 pm. We spotted 10 different species of birds, with 4 species in double-figures.
Non-migrating raptors: TV-5(minimum number), Bald Eagle-5(minimum number), Cooper's Hawk-1, Red-shoulder-2, Broad-wing-1, Red-tail-3. Susan Moses released another rehabilitated Broad-winged Hawk at the summit - so special!
In celebration of our 50th anniversary year on Wachusett, here's a look back at events on this date: In 2002, the 9th largest Broad-wing flight (9,647) and the 9th largest total raptor flight (9,757) at Wachusett Mt. Jane Stein wrote: "Around 5,000 of the total was seen in one sustained burst between 11 and 12:00 EST, but birds were streaming through pretty much all day from all directions and at all heights. Our largest stream, which included at least three kettles, was around 2,200."
In 2011, Paul Roberts wrote: "Weather gorgeous. Partly cloudy, NE winds 5-10 m.p.h., "Temp in 50's. Ideal migration conditions." Good lift and great tail wind for all birds, so they moved through very quickly. but few birds seen. Every bird was traveling solo except the two Black Vultures (first ever at Wachusett to my recollection)"
In 2013, the 5th largest Broad-wing flight (12,272) and the 5th largest total raptor flight (12,320) at Wachusett Mt. Steve Olson wrote: "An exceptional day for Broad-winged movement. Many of the kettles were scope birds but definitely there. Another great Bald Eagle day. 5 Mature Bald Eagles and 3 immature birds. Surprising number of Merlins around."
In 2020, the 28th largest Broad-wing flight (3,898) and the 26th largest total raptor flight (3,964) at Wachusett Mt
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: D-C Cormorant-1 (very close fly-over), goose sp-14(distant Vee), Chimney Swift-1, R-T Hummer-1, Blue Jay-1, Comm Raven-32, Amer Goldfinch-1, E Towhee-2.
Predictions: We're expecting another big day on the mountain on Saturday. Temperatures are expected to drop to their lowest point so far this season overnight, with morning temps in the low 40's and even into the 30's in middle and northern New England which should encourage birds to get their tail feathers moving. Sunny skies in the morning should create good thermal activity, and partly cloud conditions later on should give us good viewing conditions. Gentle 4-6 mph winds from the NNE in the morning will shift to the SE by mid-afternoon. While easterly winds can move birds to the west before they reach us, winds in middle and northern New England are expected to be from the NW most of the day, which will hopefully point the flight more in our direction. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
