Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Eric Mueller
Observers: Jon Skinner
Visitors: Many thanks to Jon for his help today. We enjoyed talking to Sean from Clinton. Many hundreds of sightseers, hikers and bikers, with many participants from the Oktoberfest at the ski area below riding up the ski lift to the summit. A proposal of marriage was accepted on the platform. Just as I was exiting, 40 Cub Scouts plus their den leaders and parents began crowding the platform - good timing on my part!
Weather: The session started an hour later than usual at 9 am EST while waiting for low clouds to clear the summit. The clouds continued to rise slowly, and ultimately converted to a layer of cumulus clouds. Humid air caused a light haze, but most regular landmarks were visible. Some blue sky appeared in the 3rd and 4th hours, but then the clouds closed in during the last hour. The wind was blowing from the ENE to SE at 4-7 mph with gusts as high as 13 mph at one point, but died down in the last hour.
Raptor Observations: Once the clouds cleared the summit, we had a few birds fly by in the first hour, including a pair of Northern Harriers that popped up on the NE side - great looks! Jon spotted an Osprey as he was walking up to the tower. Several rising birds disappeared into the low clouds. In the 2nd hour, Jon spotted a stream of 12 TVs which ended up being the highlight of the day. The next 3 hours yielded only 3 birds per hour, and a repeat of yesterday's late TV flight didn't materialize. After the clouds closed in again and the wind died down, I decided to shut down at 2 pm EST (3 pm EDT). Non-migrating raptors: Black Vulture-3, TV-5, Bald Eagle-3 (2 Ad, 1 Juv), Sharp-shin-1, Red-shoulder-1, Red-tail-2.
In celebration of our 50th anniversary year on Wachusett, here's a look back at events on this date in previous years: In 2019, Rod Chase wrote "Somewhat busy in the AM (I arrived 11:30) and early afternoon. Birds were moving from the start and peaked in the 11am hour. Flights were quick to pass and many were far away since the gusts provided a 'wider highway'. The updraft birds rocketed up and out then fell quickly to treetops level going SW. Good light and smaller updrafts kept most visible as they left. Other observers - Daryl Turek, Eric Mueller, JoAnne Hart, Kathy Olson and Marty McNamara.
In 2020, the 2nd largest Black Vulture count (6) in Wachusett Mt history (this category may get confusing in the future as the migration status of BVs comes into question). Rod Chase wrote: Migrating: BVs again! 6 total: 2+3 birds five minutes apart at 10:30 and 1 more at 11:30. TV (71) and AK (11) were the double digit stars in the thirteen species moving through today." (Eric�s note: 113 total raptors for the day) Locals: "immature BE dueling aggressively with a single Raven from NE to NW before Big Bird drove him down into the oaks a 2nd and final time." "On the count: Ted Mara, Tom Gottschang, Charlie Roche, Alisha (sharp eyes!) Carillo, John Sisk, Alf Wilson, Chandra Tibrewal & Shobah with Rachel Schwartz, Bill Rasku and Daryl Turek."
In 2023, Eric Mueller wrote: "Smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to make the air hazy here, although just moderately so today." "Our 16,000th bird of the season was the first of 3 Peregrine Falcons that flew by between 8:35 and 9:20 EST. The local TVs did begin to rise up around 9:30 EST, and they stayed active all day. We had good looks at two local Bald Eagles and pointed them out to the non-birders on the platform, much to their delight.�Other observers: Paul Vanderhoof and Ted Mara. Visitors: At least 50 sightseers, and two mounted State Troopers (no road apples left on the summit this time). Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: Blue Jay-6, Comm Raven-19, N Flicker-1, Song Sparrow-1, D-E Junco-4, E Towhee-2, warbler sp-2, passerine sp-10. Predictions: For Monday, sunny to partly cloudy skies with temps in the mid-50's to mid-60's. 8 mph WSW winds to start, increasing to 15-17 mph from the WNW. Very low humidity in the afternoon should give fine visibility, other than shaking optics. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
