Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Jennifer Xie, Joe Swertinski, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Laureen Eick-Benson, Richard King, Sheryl Johnson
Visitors: 30, including about 15 from a group of homeschool families.
Weather: Overcast with light and variable winds, becoming partly sunny with light southwest winds. Warm.
Raptor Observations: A slow start to the raptor activity without much sun or wind. Never much migration. Sharp-shinned Hawks were most numerous with a dozen. A handful of Turkey Vultures moving through. Other than that just a few Bald Eagles, Cooper's Hawks, and a Red-shouldered Hawk.
It was the best September for Ospreys since 2018. Merlins tied for the highest September total ever.
Non-raptor Observations: A nice amount of songbirds working the treeline in the morning!
New species for season: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Blue-headed Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler.
Predictions: TOMORROW: Cloudy skies early followed by partial clearing. High 82F. Winds SW at 5-10mph. Similar to today.
FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Hot! High 86F. Winds SW at 5-10mph. An unfavorable wind direction for migration but at least there will be some sun and wind to get raptors up. Obnoxiously hot for October.
SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. High 73F. Winds NNE at 5-10mph. Much better! Good winds and a more comfortable temperature. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
