Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5.25 hours
Official Counter: Chris Eddy
Observers: Alicia Carrillo, Bill Rasku, Eric Mueller, Jim Kirchhoffer, Joanne Hart, John Edmondson, Kim Hewitt, Marilyn Cugini, Steve Smith, Ted Purcell, Tom Gottschang
Visitors: We had a very nice turnout of observers today. Many thanks to both those listed above, and to Rose Stewart, Andrew Leal, John Byers, Bobbey Samdahl and John Sisk. With the gloomy weather conditions, there were relatively few hikers and sightseers.
Weather: After 3 days of rain, there was plenty of moisture left in the air and it manifested itself as low clouds that covered the summit until 9:30 EST, and that never rose high enough to uncover the top 1/3 of Mt Monadnock. Small sunlit patches appeared here and there on the landscape, but there appeared to be too little sunshine to generate much of any thermal lift. Visibility was limited to the Boston skyline, the southern NH hills as far east as the Uncanoonucks, and Mt Grace to the WNW. Winds were from the NNW to NW at 4-7 mph with some gusts to 12 mph in the morning. Temps rose from 55 to 64 F.
Raptor Observations: The low cloud cover kept the birds low in general, although we lost some birds that climbed into the cloud cover. Bill spotted one kettle of 10 Broad-wings that popped up to our south. Northern Harriers didn't seem to mind the relative lack of lift, but we think that if the cloud cover had risen normally, we would have seen many more birds migrating. Turkey Vultures continue to move through in small numbers. Some unidentified raptors passed by at great distance.
Non-migrating raptors: TV-4, Bald Eagle-2, Red-tail-1, Amer Kestrel-1.
In celebration of our 50th anniversary year on Wachusett, here's a look back at events on this date in previous years: In 2008, Steve Olson wrote: An odd day for the birds to get lift. A few thermals but not many. When the sun came out, a few birds flew. Birds had been rained on for three days and were probably drying out. Most of the birds were very far out and account for the UR category. (Eric�s note: 31 total raptors including 8 Unknown Raptors. This day sounds quite like today.)
In 2014, the 3rd highest daily count of Peregrine Falcons (6) in Wachusett Mt history, tied with 9/16/17.
In 2021, the 5th highest daily count of American Kestrels (26) in Wachusett Mt history, tied with 9/10/95 and 9/22/18.
In 2022, the highest daily count ever of Cooper�s Hawks (26) in Wachusett Mt history.
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: D-C Cormorant-1, Hairy WP-1, Blue Jay-11 (9 migrating), Comm Raven-7, R-C Kinglet-1, B-C Chickadee-2, Gray Catbird-2, R-E Vireo-1, D-E Junco-8, Blackpoll Warb-1, E Towhee-3 (looks like they bred successfully.)
Predictions: Different weather apps disagree with each other, but we're expecting more sunshine than today in the morning, with increased cloudiness in the afternoon. Temperatures similar to today with a high around 65-66 F, and slightly lower humidity. Winds are expected to be light at 3-5 mph, starting from the NW in the morning and moving to WSW by the early afternoon. The key to the migration will be the height of the cloud base and the actual amount of sunshine in the morning. Fingers crossed... ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
