Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Carol Spease, Joe Sebastiani, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Laureen Eick-Benson, Mike Fowles, Sheryl Johnson, Steve Minner
Visitors: 12
Weather: Blue skies again with the exception of one or two tiny clouds that appeared on the horizon then quickly dissipated. Calm winds that became a moderate south wind. Cool in the morning with the first frost of the season on the roof of the lodge, but becoming pleasantly warm.
Raptor Observations: We often see our biggest Turkey Vulture flights on southerly winds and today was no exception with the first triple-digit Turkey Vulture flight of the season.
Otherwise migration was light to moderate, with a good variety of raptors, but tough spotting with the blue sky. Activity was best in the mid-morning. The highlight of the day was a juvenile falcon that spent a few minutes chasing a Turkey Vulture around low overhead!
Three Ospreys including a juvenile that dropped into the valley that came back up a short while later, soared high, and continued on. A good Bald Eagle flight with ten migrating. Eight sharpies, six Coops, and 8 kestrels. A Merlin perched briefly near the end of the day completing the falcon trifecta.
One interesting Red-tailed Hawk was heavily marked below with a bold subterminal tail band, but with a white throat. No Broad-winged Hawks, which kept us from the sweep of expected species.
Predictions: TOMORROW: Sunny. High 77F. Winds WNW at 10-15mph. A somewhat favorable wind and decent speed. Hawks should be on the move again, but spotting high birds may be difficult as the blue skies continue. Expect moderate to good migration.
FRIDAY: Sunny. High 73F. Winds WNW at 10-15mph. Similar to tomorrow.
SATURDAY: Mainly cloudy. High around 70F. Winds NE shifting SE at 5-10mph. Expect moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
