Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Bill Rasku
Observers: Don Singleman, Joanne Hart, Tom Gottschang
Visitors: Bill wants to thank all of our observers for enduring the cold, windy conditions without a lot of reward. About 40 hikers and sightseers came up to the summit for abbreviated visits.
Weather: As has happened so often lately, the day started with the summit wrapped in clouds. At 9:30 am EST, the clouds rose enough to give us good views everywhere except to the south, which cleared up by 10 am. Solid West winds (10-11 mph with gusts of 15-17 mph) turned into even stronger winds with peak gusts of 25-32 mph in the early afternoon. Temps rose a bit from 54 to 59 F. The very chilly conditions drove most visitors off of the tower in short order. The wind gusts shook both the scopes and the users. The humidity and the haze dropped together, and Mt Chocorua was visible by the end of the session.
Raptor Observations: The birds apparently weren't any happier about the strong winds than we were, and only 2 got up high enough for us to see them migrate. Marty McNamara spent some time down the the North Rd observation point in the afternoon, but didn't see any migrating birds.
Non-migrating raptors: TV-3, Bald Eagle-4 (3 Ad, 1 Imm), Sharp-shin-1, Red-tail(3), Merlin-2. The Merlins were blown east from the northwest side of mountain, and looked like they might be looking south, but they disappeared down so fast that we couldn't call them migrants with any confidence. A number of unidentified raptors dropped very quickly after being sighted up in the sky...testing the waters, as it were. The Sharpie chased both a Red-tail and some Ravens.
In celebration of our 50th anniversary year on Wachusett, here's a look back at events on this date in previous years: In 2018, the latest double-digit Broad-wing Hawk count (24), the largest Merlin count ever (8), the 3rd largest Cooper�s Hawk count (24), and the 8th largest Turkey Vulture count (153) in Wachusett Mt history. The day�s total count was 274 migrating raptors. Rod Chase wrote: "Wind from NE except last 2 hours from N. Strength 3-10 mph at start with added gusts to 15 in 2nd hour; after that there was gradual decrease in strength until there was little then no wind in the last two hours." "The best thermals were when the winds died and since Turkey Vultures can float thru the air with the best -- they certainly picked up the slack in the last two hours! (Someone might ask "That's just when they arrived?", I'd say 'yup, we're both right'!)" "The 24 BWs were another pleasant October surprise but the Bird of the Day was a beautiful and close flyover by the Red-shouldered Hawk. Several well-lit views as he circled up in front before then showing his topside and then wings backlit both top then bottom. I love those moments that'll be etched in the memory cells for a while!" Other observers: Bill Rasku, Dave Brown, Jared Keyes, Susan Williamson, Ursula & Dave Goodine, Ed Norris, Joe Drega, Chris Eddy, Bill Caines, Jeff Hendrickx, Jerry Tabler, Bill Caines, Jack Doolin, Jim, and David Pihl. In 2024, the 24th largest Turkey Vulture count (73), the 14th largest Cooper's Hawk count (14) tied with 6 other dates, and the 19th largest Bald Eagle count (14) tied with 5 other dates. Eric Mueller wrote: "We had a great turnout of observers today. Thanks to everyone for a fine job amidst all the hubbub." "The summit was swarming with many hundreds of people who hiked up or came up to sightsee. The fire tower was open to the public for a 2nd time this year in honor of the 80th anniversary of Smokey Bear. In addition, the ski lift was bringing celebrants up from the Oktoberfest down at the ski area." Other observers - Al Hinde, Alf Wilson, Bill Rasku, Charles Huang, David Brown, Jack Miano, Janet Kovner, John Edmondson, Julie Roberts, Lisa Burwell, Marilyn Cugini, Mark Hibberd, Paul Roberts, Paul Vanderhoof, Scott Carlson, Steve Smith and Tom Gottschang.
Non-raptor Observations: Non-raptors: Blue Jays, Comm Raven (4), DE Juncos.
Predictions: Tuesday's forecast calls for only moderate humidity overnight, so hopefully we can avoid a cloud-bound summit this time. Sunny skies and low humidity later on should result in good visibility. It will be very cold with temps in the mid-40's to mid-50's, and WNW winds averaging 12-13 mph. The cold should get some birds moving, and hopefully up where we can see them if the wind isn't too gusty. Winter gear time! ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
