Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Doug Wood, Emily Sandly
Observers: Dan Knarr, Dave Hughes, Doug Wood
Visitors: Thanks to Dave, Doug & Dan for coming out and being extra eyes today, and Doug for ending the count on a great note!
Weather: All-day winds from the NW, early morning starting around 7mph, then ranging from 9-12mph with gusts up to 22mph. Periods of less & more cloud cover with nice breaks of sun and some blue sky. Thick column clouds in the south all day.
Raptor Observations: What a stellar day to end my time on the ridge this season! Crisp, chilly mornings, and especially with NW winds. Great early looks at very low, steady goldens and balds. Although I don't have a camera (yet), those images are etched in my memories. The flight pattern today was emerging birds from the N/NE side of the lookout, following a steady WSW migratory direction all day besides a few birds. Great red-tail movement, with a couple red-shoulders and accipiters mixed in, including an adult AGOS I caught the end of, but was spotted by Doug as it zipped through the north notch. As the day continued and winds increased, more birds gained higher altitude in flight across the notch, but there was still a nice variability in views of moving raptors. To make things interesting, there were a few northern red-tails which came by the lookout, donning dark necks and almost no belly band. These are the best days spent outside watching the marvel of migration.
AD BAEA 0709 sub GOEA 0737 AD GOEA 0743 AD GOEA (2) 0749 AD BAEA, sub GOEA 0759 sub GOEA 0805 AD GOEA 0847 imm BAEA 0916 AD BAEA 0927 imm BAEA (2) 0931 AD, imm/sub BAEA 1004 AD GOEA, sub & AD BAEA 1009 AD BAEA (2) 1023 imm GOEA 1033 imm BAEA 1039 AD BAEA 1045 im/sub BAEA 1108 2 AD GOEA 1122 unaged BAEA 1121 AD GOEA 1137 sub GOEA 1202 AD AGOS** 1236 sub (3rd year) BAEA 1255 imm BAEA 1313 imm BAEA 1328 sub (4th year) BAEA 1336 imm BAEA 1307 juv GOEA 1520 AD GOEA 1533 juv & imm BAEA 1536
Non-raptor Observations: Groups of CORA and AMCR, COGR, CAGO, RWBL, and some AMRO. 14 COLO, 1 GBHE, 1 DOWO, 1 NOFL, 1 NOCA, juncos and chickadees and WTSP in the early AM. Last bird of the day was a PIWO through the notch.
3 doe snuck by me this morning moseying through the woods.
Predictions: Similar to today with 7-10mph NW winds. Partly sunny conditions. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kittatinny counter/l goodrich (<goodrich...>)
