Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 10.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Anthony Capone, Carter Chambers, Dede Johnston, Frank Rohrbacher, Ian Teaell, Kim Steininger, Lana Glass, Maddie Martin
Visitors: 25
Weather: Early morning rain ended by sunrise. Moderate to strong north winds the whole day. Overcast for most of the day with a sudden clearing for the final hours. Temps reaching 50 degrees, but it felt quite cold with the wind!
Raptor Observations: The biggest flight so far this month. Raptors were on the move from sunrise to sunset. The first American Kestrel soared low overhead when it was barely light out. The flight was moderate and steady throughout the day. Cloudy skies helped with spotting which was important because the flight was high for much of the day.
Turkey Vultures were most numerous with another triple-digit day. A good day for big birds with 2 Ospreys and 23 Bald Eagles. Harriers had the best day in several weeks with eight. An excellent Accip flight with the best Cooper's Hawk day of the season (37) and second-best sharpie day (77).
Late-season Buteo numbers are picking up with 18 red-shoulders and 25 red-tails, plus a juvenile Broad-winged Hawk that came through as the last migrant of the day as the sun was setting. A decent falcon flight with 28 kestrels and three Merlins.
Non-raptor Observations: 2,600 Canada Geese, 40 goose sp. (distant flock that was likely Brant), 7 Wood Ducks, 2 Common Mergansers, 60 duck sp. (two large flocks, probably Ring-necked Ducks), 2 Common Loons, 67 Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue Heron, 2 Common Ravens, Horned Lark, 600+ Tree Swallows, American Pipit, 3 Purple Finches, Pine Siskin, Palm Warbler, 10 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 monarch. https://ebird.org/checklist/S403214071
New species for season: Horned Lark, American Pipit
Predictions: TOMORROW: Mainly sunny. Overnight low of 37F but a high around 60F. Winds NNE at 5-10mph. A good wind but spotting will be difficult when raptors get high due to the lack of clouds. Expect moderate migration.
MONDAY: Sunny with a few afternoon clouds. High 66F. Winds NNE at 10-15mph. Another great wind. Spotting will be difficult when there aren't many clouds. Expect moderate migration.
TUESDAY: Intervals of clouds and sun. High around 70F. Winds N at 10-20mph. Another great wind. Spotting will be difficult when there aren't many clouds. Expect moderate migration. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Ashland Nature Center information may be found at: www.delnature.org
