Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Ralph, Carol Spease, Carter Chambers, Holly Merker, Ian Teaell, Jim Green, Jim Lewis, Joe Swertinski, Kevin Bronson, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass
Visitors: 32
Weather: Mostly cloudy becoming mostly sunny then overcast by the end of the count. Light winds shifted from NE to E.
Raptor Observations: Raptors were on the move early today. The spectacle of the day was the early-morning Broad-winged Hawk liftoff. Before the usual 9am start time of the count we had already had 670 Broad-winged Hawks, mostly distant to the north. As thermals built, multiple flight lines developed with some groups to the north and other groups streaming overhead. Nearly 1,200 Broad-winged Hawks were counted in the 9-10am clock time hour. Broad-winged Hawk numbers dropped drastically after that with few seen throughout the afternoon. The final Broad-winged Hawk total for the day was 1,918 which was just short of yesterday's total. The combined broad-wing total of yesterday and today was 3,849.
The Sharp-shinned Hawk total of 85 was the highest so far this season. Bald Eagles and American Kestrels had their second highest totals of the season. Other species had moderate totals.
Spotting was difficult throughout the afternoon as the migrants were mostly high altitude, but the cloud cover helped with spotting.
New species for season: American Herring Gull, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Palm Warbler.
Predictions: TOMORROW: Rain early then remaining cloudy with showers. High 76F. Winds SSW at 10-15mph. Chance of rain 60%. Overall poor conditions. Count may be shortened.
MONDAY: Some morning sun then increasing clouds. High 69F. Winds NE at 10-15mph. A good breeze from a favorable direction. Perhaps not a great wind for broad-wings, but I would expect other species to be on the move in moderate to good numbers.
TUESDAY: Rain likely. High 63F. Winds NE at 10-20mph. Count will likely be shortened. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
