Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Brian Rusnica
Observers: Visitors: None
Weather: Very strong NE winds once again. Mostly overcast.
Raptor Observations: Just a few raptors made the attempt today before the Nor'easter. Mostly Sharp-shinned Hawks were rifling through the air, some catching brief rides upwards but most just cruising along with the gusts. I had my heart set on "one more bird" and ended up waiting 30 minutes before the month's last Sharpie appeared over the Pawtuckaways and skittered high over the East summit.
A trio of BLACK VULTURE appeared today and gave me a sense of deja vu, as they ambled their way E-to-W across the Wapack Ridge, just like the 3 on Wednesday and the 3 on Tuesday. I did not count these ones and will go back and take the 3 off our migrant count from earlier; these seem to be the same birds just off on their daily travels. Local Bald Eagles got together - 5 of them shared some hang time in the NE quadrant. Hopefully this offseason I can try to determine what might be out in that area that seems to focus so many locals. Non-migrant Raptors: Turkey Vulture 11 BLACK VULTURE 3 Bald Eagle 7 Red-tailed Hawk 1
Non-raptor Observations: Common Raven 45
Predictions: So ends our planned September coverage at Mount Watatic; any hawk counts from here on out will be incidental but most certainly welcomed. We're now outside the traditional window for big Broad-winged Hawk flights, but the migration will continue to diversify as other species reach peak migration.
October and November on Mt. Watatic will see the departure of Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, as well as migratory peaks for accipitrine species and falcons. Peregrine Falcons should peak by the 2nd week of October, and accipitrine hawks right after that. Late-season Watatic offers some of the best opportunities for birders to add American Goshawk and Golden Eagle to your Massachusetts state list, especially on days with strong NW winds. If you count any hawks the remainder of the year, please email me with your sightings to <14hawks8owls...> Thanks for following along this month, and my heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of our observers, visitors and supporters. Thank you! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian Rusnica (<brian_rusnica...>) Mount Watatic information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
