Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Mark Morris
Observers: Bryan DiFabio, David Brown, David Proietti, Dorothy Maese, Greg McGuane, Jack Miano, Jean Hampel, Joe Fountain, Judy McGuane, Laura de la Flor, Mark Burns, Ted Purcell
Visitors: Mark thanks all those who came out today despite the prediction of a low count day. In addition to those listed above, several other people stopped by including Janice Strong, Andrew Leal and Rose Stewart.
Weather: New England continues to be sandwiched between high pressure to the Northwest and a large low pressure system and developing ocean storm (Nor�easter) coming up the Eastern seaboard. Those systems have funneled winds from the NE for several days, today at 7-10 mph with gusts to 25 mph. The air pressure here has stayed at a remarkably high 30.3 to 30.55 in-Hg for the past 3 days. Temperatures today ranged from 53 to 66 F. Visibility was excellent as haze was minimal.
Raptor Observations: This was not a spectacular migration day by any means compared to days prior. Nevertheless, our group of observers were able to record 27 migrating Raptors, including 12 American Kestrels. The 4 migrating BEs were all Immatures, and all with a similar flight track, height, and direction heading SSE. We had a group of 3 migrating Kestrels in the 2nd hour that put on a show hunting around the summit for several minutes trying to find a snack before departing. Turkey Vultures have started to move with 2 birds taking advantage of the strong winds to move South. Mid-day and afternoon featured a few Merlins on the move and plenty of Ravens (18), local Red Tails (3), and a Coop sparring and creating both action and interest.
In celebration of our 50th anniversary year on Wachusett, here's a look back at events on this date: In 1983, we had the 20th largest Sharp-shinned Hawk daily count (92) in Wachusett history, along with 262 Broad-wings (405 migrants in total.)
In 1987, we had the 18th largest Sharp-shinned Hawk daily count (100) in Wachusett history,
In 2003, Jane Stein wrote: A very small AM liftoff of a few leftover BWs, a brief tiny burst in the afternoon to give us false hope, and otherwise Osprey and male Sharpies and a couple Kestrels. Perhaps most entertaining (which tells you what kind of day we had) was a rapidly oncoming Peregrine that inconsiderately turned into a Loon as it sped past. Other observers: Bill LaFleche, Mike Beath, Paul Pinault, Barbara Przybylska, Howard Shainheit, John Liller, Ted Mara and Jim O'Donnell. In 2014, we had the 5th largest Peregrine Falcon count (5) in Wachusett history, tied with 9/12/2016 and 9/15/2016.
In 2019, a sightseer named Eric Mueller stopped up at the tower, puzzled by all the people with binoculars and telescopes. Rod Chase asked Eric if he was here for the hawk watch. Eric replied �Um, no?� Rod asked him if he�d like to see a Broad-winged Hawk, and Eric replied �Uh, sure.� Eric returned the next day, the day after that, and the day after that. Thus began a journey� Other observers: Bill Rasku, Chris Eddy, Christine Restell, Joanne Hart, Joe Drega, Kevin Ryan, Lauren Grimes, Mark Morris, Paul Roberts and Ted Mara.
Predictions: Yet another day of strong (15-17 mph avg) NE winds, with temps in the mid-50's to low 60's. Partly to mostly cloudy skies with moderate humidity should make spotting the birds easier. It will be interesting to see how many birds sense the upcoming storm and try to "get out of Dodge" before it hits. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
