Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Daena Ford, Ian Teaell, Jim Lewis, Lana Glass, Meghan Donnelly, Randy Ford
Visitors: 12, including Daena and Randy Ford from the Braddock Bay Hawk Watch!
Weather: Overcast and foggy with calm winds to start. Becoming mostly sunny by the late morning with light southwest winds. Quite warm with temperatures reaching the low 80s.
Raptor Observations: A slow start, but activity picked up when the sun came out. Some small groups of Turkey Vultures drifting through for a total of 27. Otherwise small numbers of an excellent variety of raptors. The only expected species we didn't see today was Osprey. We had the falcon trifecta with 7 kestrels, 2 peregrines, and four Merlins including one that rocketed through low at the end of the day. One late-day juvenile Northern Harrier. A kestrel and Cooper's Hawk battled in midair. Bald Eagle activity was high but only four migrated.
Non-raptor Observations: American Black Duck, 15 Common Nighthawks, 7 species sweep of woodpeckers (including Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER), Blue-headed Vireo, 50 Blue Jays, 2 Common Ravens, 200 Common Grackles, Black-and-white Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, 26 monarchs. https://ebird.org/checklist/S398130944
New species for season: American Black Duck
Predictions: TOMORROW: Mix of sun and clouds. Hot. High 86F! Winds SW at 5-10mph. Similar to today. Expect light to moderate migration.
SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. High 72F. Winds N shifting NE at 5-10mph. Pretty good conditions. Expect moderate migration.
SUNDAY: Cloudy with showers. High near 65F. Winds ENE at 5-10ph. Chance of rain 60%. The rain may prevent a flight. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
