Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Brian Rusnica
Observers: Visitors: Lots of nice conversations with friendly day hikers on the most crowded summit I've seen this season.
Weather: Perfectly comfortable temps, probably warmer than average. NNW winds were forecasted but a consistent wind never really materialized. Mostly clear to partly cloudy in the afternoon. Raptor Observations: Fairly standard early October flight here - accipitrines and Turkey Vultures led the way. 17 Cooper's Hawks was a season high. The largest group of Turkey Vultures was a parade of 10 making their way across the Wapack Ridge. The flight started off very sound but by 11am ET most of the action seemed to have cooled off.
A handful of Red-shouldered Hawks were moving, including some adults streaming high over the summit. One of the Northern Harriers today was an adult male Gray Ghost.
As is always the case, we were hoping for more!
Non-migrant Raptors Turkey Vulture 15 Bald Eagle 11 (kettle of 9) Red-tailed Hawk 3
Non-raptor Observations: Countless skeins of Canada Geese appeared all over the sky through the entirety of the flight, with the largest group being approximately 160 individuals!
Canada Goose 2330 Common Raven 28
Predictions: No formal count planned. S winds and afternoon rain are approaching. If you count any hawks the remainder of the year at Mount Watatic, please email me with your sightings to <14hawks8owls...>
October and November on Mt. Watatic will see the departure of Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, as well as migratory peaks for accipitrine species and falcons. Peregrine Falcons should peak by the 2nd week of October, and accipitrine hawks right after that. Late-season Watatic offers some of the best opportunities for birders to add American Goshawk and Golden Eagle to your Massachusetts state list, especially on days with strong NW winds. Thank you! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian Rusnica (<brian_rusnica...>) Mount Watatic information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
