Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Eric Mueller
Observers: Bill Rasku, Don Singleman, Paul Roberts
Visitors: IMPORTANT note: Sunday will be the last day that the auto road to the summit will be open to motor vehicles until next Memorial Day weekend.
Thanks to our observers Bill, Paul and Don for a fine day's effort today.
Several hundred visitors, including Mike the photographer and students from at least two schools, kept the summit busy. A group of DCR folks ascended to the top of the fire tower to finish decorating the observation room for Halloween. A proposal of marriage was accepted on the stone observation structure, followed by loud cheering and applause from the students and others on the tower. Mike snapped a few photos and offered them to the happy couple. This was the 2nd marriage proposal that we've seen this Fall. The over/under is 2.5, but there's still time for more action.
Weather: Surprisingly gentle northerly winds today, with none of the 15-18 mph gusts that had been predicted. Temps ranged from 41 to 51 F with very low humidity. Sunny skies allowed the creation of thermals that let larger birds like eagles rise up easily despite the low wind speed. Raptor Observations: Finally - our first Golden Eagle of the season! Bill Rasku spotted it among a loose group of 3 eagles soaring northeast of the mountain. He noted the short head/long tail combination that differentiated it from the Bald Eagles, as well as a tawny nape and no white plumage - an adult! Paul Roberts questioned the lack of a wing dihedral during the time that he watched it, but Bill saw the dihedral expressed on and off over a longer time period.
The day started very slowly, with only one migrant before 10:50 am EST when kettles of 13 & 11 TVs began passing south of the mountain. TVs made up the bulk of the count today, with one other kettle of 15 TVs just after noon EST.
In celebration of our 50th anniversary year on Wachusett, here's a look back at events on this date in previous years: In 1982, the largest ever Red-tailed Hawk count (58), the 6th largest Red-shoulder Hawk count (19) and the 7th largest Northern Harrier count (9) in Wachusett Mt history.
In 2021, the 23rd largest Turkey Vulture count (82) in Wachusett Mt history. Eric Mueller wrote: "Very good results for late October here - 111 migrants spread over 9 species. The flight started earlier than normal, with 53 birds in the 9-10 AM hour. Many hundreds of leaf-peepers and their dogs (and 3 drones...grrr)." "We talked to quite a few people about our mission, including two charming elementary school-age girls who told us that they were interested in everything about birds and nature. Eric showed them our tally sheet and described some of the birds that we counted." "Other observers: Tom Gottschang, Paul Vanderhoof & Rod Chase. In 2023, the 12th largest Red-shoulder Hawk count (15, tied with 4 other dates) in Wachusett Mt history. Eric Mueller wrote: "A very productive day with 122 migrating birds counted and a really nice mix of species. The highlights of the day were the 3 Northern Harriers, 2 of which were Gray Ghost males that passed by separately. The 9-10 am hour was surprisingly busy with 54 birds counted." "Other observers Bill Rasku, Dave Brown, Janet Kovner, Jean Hampel, Marty McNamara, Paul Vanderhoof, Ted Purcell. In addition, we got excellent help from Evan Lipton and Nicole Holmes - great job!" Non-raptor Observations: The first Snow Buntings (4) of the season flew past the summit late in the session. Hopefully we'll see them on the ground here soon. Also Canada Goose-72 (migrating), Blue Jay-2, Amer Crow-74 (migrating), Comm Raven-18, DE Junco-4.
Predictions: For Saturday, gentle 4-6 mph breezes from the NW, temps from the low 40's to upper 50's, low humidity, and mostly sunny to sunny skies. Good hawk watching weather both tomorrow and Sunday. This weekend is your last chance to drive up to the summit this Fall. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
