Observation start time: 07:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.75 hours
Official Counter: Kate McKay, Mark Timmerman
Observers: Chuck Carlson, Glen Chretien, Mark Timmerman, Meade Cadot, Nathan French, Nora Hanke, Van Zimmer
Visitors: 114. Thanks to Imogen and Chris for spotting birds with us!
Weather: Mostly blue skies except for some clouds at the start and end. Moderate winds from the northwest, calmer in the afternoon. Temps starting at 32 and reaching 41 degrees by the end of the day.
Raptor Observations: First bird was a Golden Eagle! Spotted around 9:45am near Mount Kearsarge, it stayed distant as it proceeded to travel south below horizon. Identified by its silhouette and dihedral, it didn't come close enough for pictures but was exciting all the same. Another highlight was a distant group of six Black Vultures moving south, setting both a new day and season high count for that species. Some beautiful adult red-shoulders and a couple harriers were among the other migrants. Non-migrating raptors included four adult Bald Eagles flying together and an adult Peregrine hanging out at North Pack.
Non-raptor Observations: Other birds flying by included flocks of geese, adult herring gull, several Purple Finches, eleven robins flying south, some Pine Siskins, Snow Buntings, and, as Glen observed, lots of ravens dressed up as migrating raptors for Halloween.
Predictions: A bit warmer tomorrow with lighter northwest winds. The season total is currently 16,973. Will we reach 17,000 birds during the annual Big Soup? Might want to bring some champagne to have with the soup just in case... ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kate McKay (<northernjay444...>) Pack Monadnock Raptor Migration Observatory information may be found at: www.harriscenter.org
