Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Bill Rasku, Eric Mueller
Observers: Bill Rasku
Visitors: Thanks to Bill for venturing all the way up to the summit on his tender knee.
Several hundred unexpected hikers and bicyclists. We forgot that school was cancelled at any locations that were being used for voting, so there were elementary and middle schoolers and their parents/grandparents on the summit all day. Today was also a big day for Golden Retrievers (4 pairs and 2 singles), plus lots of other dogs.
Weather: High but fairly dense stratus clouds covered the area up to the MA/NH border until 1:00 pm. Weak W to SW winds until noon, then increased to 8-12 mph. Moderate to low humidity, but moderate haze that fuzzed the VT and more distant NH mountains the entire time. Occasional rain sprinkles from 10:30 to noon. Temps from 60 to 69 F. Raptor Observations: Once again, we didn't see any raptors, local or migrating, until noon. Until then, the cloud cover and low winds seemed to prevent much of any lift. We had a mini-burst of migrating birds from 12:00 to 12:25 at both the summit and the North Rd overlook, but just a few birds after that. Non-migrating birds first appeared just after 12:25. Bill started the day with me at the summit, and then walked down to the North Rd overlook to see if he could find more birds there.
Non-migrating raptors: TV-3, Bald Eagle-2(both adult, maybe 1 more), Red-tail-2.
In celebration of our 50th anniversary year on Wachusett, here's a look back at events on this date in previous years: In 2019, Rod Chase wrote from Tom Gottschang�s notes: "Lots of hikers and folks who rode up on the ski lift -- including a large group who came to witness a successful marriage proposal."
In 2021, Eric Mueller wrote: "An OK day for early November here, with 19 migrants counted." "The summit road is closed for the season, so all of the 3 dozen or so visitors were hikers or bikers, except for the two mounted State Troopers who rode their horses up." In 2024, the 9th largest Red-shouldered Hawk count (17, tied with 2 other dates) in Wachusett Mt history. Eric Mueller wrote: "Another very good count for early November here (85). Eric, Tom (Gottschang) and John (Edmondson) watched from the summit, while Bill (Rasku) took up his regular spot at the North Rd overlook. Bill froze in the shade, while the rest of us 'basked' in the sunlight." Non-raptor Observations: No Snow Buntings today... :-( Canada Goose-9, Blue Jay-1, Amer Crow-some, Comm Raven-7, BC Chickadee-1, WB Nuthatch-1, DE Junco-12, Amer Goldfinch-20.
Predictions: Back to totally sunny skies on Wednesday (whatever happened to partly sunny skies?), 8-12 mph WSW to SW winds with gusts to 20 mph, unusually warm (61 to 72 F) with moderate humidity. We'll have to see if any birds will brave the strong headwinds, and come up high enough for us to see them. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
