Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 11 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Dede Johnston, Joe Swertinski, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Maddie Martin
Visitors: 15
Weather: The day began with extensive rain just to the south and blue skies to the north. A bit gloomy for a few hours with a few minutes of sprinkles. After that it got nicer with partly sunny skies. Moderate north winds became a weaker northeast wind.
Raptor Observations: A fantastic raptor flight! Activity started early but was slow for the first several hours as gloomy weather persisted. The 12-1pm clock hour brought a strong flight of over a hundred raptors. A moderate flight continued throughout the afternoon before slowing down, then ending with a late pulse. During the peak time the flight was mostly high overhead, but the clouds helped with spotting.
Sharp-shinned Hawks were most numerous with 91. Cooper's Hawks had a very strong flight too with 27. AMERICAN KESTRELS had a spectacular flight with a total of 79, including a group of 9 that came through in the 5pm clock time hour. This was the third highest day ever for kestrels at Ashland! We also had one Merlin and three Peregrines (2 immatures, 1 adult).
A moderate vulture migration. Noticeably more Black Vultures around today including some groups counted as migrants. Five Ospreys was a great total for October. Sixteen Bald Eagles were counted as migrating, but many more seemed to be constantly soaring around. A moderate Buteo flight including 12 broad-wings and a handful of red-tails and red-shoulders.
Non-raptor Observations: 210 Canada Geese, Northern Pintail, 68 Double-crested Cormorants, 6 Great Blue Herons, another woodpecker septafecta including 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and 2 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS, 450 Blue Jays, 37 Fish Crows, Common Raven, Swainson's Thrush, 2 White-crowned Sparrows, White-throated Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, 5 Eastern Meadowlarks, Black-and-white Warbler, Nashville Warbler, 2 Cape May Warblers, Blackburnian Warbler, 3 Palm Warblers, 6 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 3 Scarlet Tanagers, 43 monarchs. https://ebird.org/checklist/S398857058
New species for season: Northern Pintail, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Nashville Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler
Predictions: TOMORROW: Overcast with rain showers at times. High 64F. Winds ENE at 5-10mph. Chance of rain 60%. A decent wind direction. Seems like the day will be gloomy overall which would normally hold back the flight, but this is peak time for species that don't mind powering through so maybe there will be some action.
MONDAY: Partly cloudy. High around 70F. Winds NW at 10-20mph. Great winds. Spotting may be difficult if the clouds go away. Should be a lot of raptors on the move if we can spot them. Expect moderate to good migration.
TUESDAY: Mainly sunny. High 64F. Winds NW at 5-10mph. Good conditions again. Expect moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
