One highlight was the 94 Common Loons, including 15 which flew in circles for about 4 revolutions before continuing NW. This is the 2nd highest loon total for the season. A second highlight was the season's 162nd Golden Eagle, a subadult, which flew overhead. It had been one week since we last recorded one.
This starts the last week for this season's watch, which we usually plan to end Apr 25. If favorable S wind forecasts hold for Fri-Sat, I may extend the season to include those days. S winds are sometimes are very favorable for our site.
Nick Bolgiano
Tussey Mountain Hawk Watch State College, Pennsylvania, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 21, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours
Official Counter: Nick Bolgiano
Observers: Debra Rittlemann
Weather: Wind initially SSW 3-5 mph, eventually swinging around to W 8-12 mph in the afternoon, sky mostly overcast with a few peeks of sun, temp 36-46F
Raptor Observations: GE: 1222 Sub
Non-raptor Observations: Gr. Blue Heron-2, Barred Owl-1, C. Loon-94
Predictions: Monday: wind NW 8-10 mph and sunny, could get good thermals Tuesday: wind SSW 10-12 mph and cloudy, depends on cloudy thickness Wednesday: WNW/NW 12-15 mph and cloudy - least promising
This is the last week for the 2024 watch, which usually ends Apr 25. I will be looking at the Fri-Sat forecasts, currently predicting favorable S winds, for possibly extending the season.
