Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: David Brown
Observers: Bob Crandall, Bridget Watts, Candy Giles, Daena Ford, Eunice Thein, Janis George, Kim Steininger, Rosemary Reilly
Visitors: 25
Weather: Mostly sunny with a small percentage of cirrus clouds and a few cumulus clouds towards the end of the day. The winds started out light and southerly. At 8:50am EST a northeast lake breeze kicked in. Mid-afternoon the wind shifted easterly. The temperatures were fairly warm but the wind made it feel chilly at times.
Raptor Observations: A decent raptor flight in the morning with dozens of vultures per hour and small numbers of other migrants including some Buteos. After the lake breeze kicked in the flight line shifted over the parkway and was quite distant at times. We had two Golden Eagles pass in the distance during that time. Eventually we completely lost the main flight line but had some scattered sharpies and kestrels. The wind eventually shifted more easterly which launched a huge afternoon flight of Turkey Vultures, sharpies, and kestrels that were low and close to the platform.
We ended up with more than 2,000 Turkey Vultures for the day with more than a thousand during the 2pm EST hour. This was the best Sharp-shinned Hawk day so far with 64. Also a good kestrel flight with 37.
Non-raptor Observations: East Spit: 3 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Caspian Terns, Carolina Wren (uncommon at this location), Fox Sparrow. https://ebird.org/checklist/S167848944
New species for season: Greater Yellowlegs, Brown Thrasher, Northern Rough-winged Swallow.
Predictions: TOMORROW: Mostly cloudy. High 58F. Winds WNW at 5-10mph. Not great, but not terrible. Expect moderate migration.
THURSDAY: Rain early then cloudy with showers. High 69F. Winds SE at 15-25mph. Good winds but gloomy conditions may hold back the raptor flight. A day to keep an eye on.
FRIDAY: Rain showers with increasing winds. High 58F. Winds SW at 20-30mph. Excellent wind direction, but a bit strong so migrants may be blown out towards the lake. Another day with potential that we'll keep an eye on as we get closer. ======================================================================== Report submitted by David Brown (<davidebrownpa...>) Braddock Bay information may be found at: http://www.bbrr.org/
