Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Craig Jackson
Observers: Carole Powers, Leslie Martin, Marilyn Cugini, Steve Smith
Visitors: Leslie Martin, Marilyn Cugini, and Steve Smith came to the Rock for the first time ever and were a great help in spotting birds. Other visitors who expressed interest in the hawk watch were Sihyun Kim,Trent Thompson and Athena Garcia. Frequent visitor Oliver Kleinbub also stopped by to say hello
Weather: Light (2) NW winds throughout most of the watch only lessening significantly in the last hour with maximum gusts of 19 Km/hr recorded at 9 AM. Cloud cover -- sky was filled with bands of cirrus clouds originally covering only 15% but later more of the sky. Temperature went from 13-17� C
Raptor Observations: Moderate movement of raptors with the best bird being the first bird of the day. At 8:25 AM through my 10x42 binoculars I spotted on the western horizon at great distance a very large and broad-winged bird flying south. Unable to make an ID at that distance through my binoculars, I was fortunately able to locate the bird through my spotting scope. With 15X I was able to not only note the broadness of the wings but also its dark body, and what appeared to be a white rump. As the bird slowly flapped its wings I also noted that the only other light areas on the bird were what appeared to be wing patches on both wings. The head did not appear to be very large, which in addition to the white "rump" would eliminate BE. As I followed the bird through my scope an accipitrine dived down on it. The accipitrine was minuscule in comparison which further confirmed the size of the bird and that although most of the few Golden Eagles seen at this site occur in November, I am convinced that what I observed was an immature Golden Eagle. Non-migrating -- at least 4 RT, and possibly more
Non-raptor Observations: Birds -- 25 CAGO, 20 DC cormorants, and 2 Ravens Butterflies -- 1 Monarch
Predictions: Southerly winds tomorrow are predicted to precede a couple hours of rain starting in the afternoon. A better option would be on Monday between Sunday's and Tuesday's predicted rains. The winds on Monday will be moderate from the north and may bring migrants ======================================================================== Report submitted by Craig Jackson (<crleja1949...>)
