Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours
Official Counter: Eric Mueller
Observers: Visitors: About 75 hikers and 10 bicyclists came up to enjoy the hazy view and warm temps. Numerous young moms and dads with infants and pre-K kids. The fire watcher was up in the tower again due to the dry windy conditions, and at least one column of smoke rose up to our east.
Weather: An unseasonably warm day with temps from 60-67 F (75 F down below). Humidity was moderate, but there was a noticeable brown haze extending up to about 2500 ft AMSL that lasted all session. The haze made Graylock, the VT mountains and Boston quite fuzzy. WSW to SW winds were lighter than predicted, averaging around 7-8 mph and only gusting occasionally, then picking up to 10+ mph around 1 pm.
Raptor Observations: Only 10 migrating birds sighted, but 4 of them were Golden Eagles. This is the largest single-day Golden Eagle count in Wachusett Mt history. A group of 3 GEs appeared to the NE over North Monoosnoc hill at 11:30. 2 were obviously juveniles (bright white base to tail with thick black terminal band, cats-eye white markings on the underside "hands" of the wings), and one probable adult (no white markings at all.) They all proceeded southwest together. The 4th GE appeared 20 minutes later on the west side of the mountain. Probable 2nd-3rd year immature bird with just a bit of white on the underside of the wings and the tail.
In celebration of our 50th anniversary year on Wachusett, here's a look back at events on this date in previous years: In 1979, 2 Goshawks were spotted on Wachusett Mt.
In 2016, Rod Chase wrote: "Ted (Mara) climbed the mountain today for exercise ..." (Eric�s note - no migrating raptors counted)
In 2017, the 4th largest Red-tailed Hawk count (42) in Wachusett Mt history. Compiler: Ted Mara, Observers: Bill Rasku, Tom Gottschang In 2018, Rod Chase wrote: "26 raptors covering 7 species though 17 Red-tailed Hawks surely dominated the count." Bill Rasku wrote: "Cute little girl said to Dad: 'There are pinwheels here!'.... known to us as wind turbines!" In 2020, Rod Chase wrote: "Bill (Rasku) saw another Rough-legged (light phase) Hawk. Paul Roberts noted our 2 this year is a new a record for the hill." "Also noted porcupine and rabbit."
In 2023, Eric Mueller wrote: "A very slow day, but with one bright spot - our 2nd Golden Eagle of the season (a 1 or 2 year old with some white showing out towards the 'hands' on both the upper and lower sides of the wings, but little or no white on the base of the tail.) Kudos to Chris Eddy for spotting the eagle and noticing that it looked different than a BE, and to Dan Rossman for making the ID." "Other observers: Jean Hampel, Joanne Hart"
Non-raptor Observations: Comm Raven-6, Snow Bunting-2, DE Junco 2. The ravens popped up in various numbers all session.
Predictions: We won't conduct a watch on Thursday - rain predicted mid-day. Rain is also predicted for most of Friday. Saturday and Sunday are starting to look more iffy now. ======================================================================== Report submitted by ERIC MUELLER (<ericmueller1912...>) Wachusett Mountain information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
