Observation start time: 09:45:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5.25 hours
Official Counter: Craig Jackson
Observers: Visitors: Among the many Veterans' Day hikers who inquired what I was doing, Avery Davis and Michael Katz took some time to discuss the migration and hawks in general.
Weather: Moderate (2)winds from the WNW with 17 km/hr in the morning got considerably weaker after 11:30 when the winds shifted to the NW, but gusts were mostly 8-9 km/hr. Cloud cover -- day began with scattered cumulus clouds covering about 25% of the sky. Later cumulus clouds were mostly on the northern horizon with as little as 7% of the sky covered. In the last hour the cloud cover increased to about 15%. Temperature -- 6-9� C
Raptor Observations: Only one migrating raptor seen, but it was very memorable as noted below: I had just arrived on site, put down my things, and briefly scanned the horizon. I had then taken my clipboard out of my pack and begun to write down my time of arrival when a dark long-winged raptor flew right below me less than tree feet away and then disappeared into the woods heading southwest. I probably saw the bird with my naked eye for less than a second. Although I felt it had been a Peregrine as it flew down the side of the rock, it seemed to have a light-colored rump. However, it clearly had not been a Harrier. It was only when I consulted the Peterson Guide and viewed Clark's drawings of Peregrines that I realized I had been seeing the paler rump of an adult Peregrine which had probably been lightened by reflected sunlight.
Non-raptor Observations: One DC Cormorant and two Raavens
Predictions: Tomorrow the winds will shift to the east so I will not be present. After Friday's nor'easter winds are predicted to shift toward the northwest on Saturday, becoming stronger in the afternoon and continuing into Sunday, again becoming stronger later in the day. Both Saturday and Sunday may bring some late migrants. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Craig Jackson (<crleja1949...>)
