Observation start time: 06:45:00 Observation end time: 11:30:00 Total observation time: 4.75 hours
Official Counter: Bob Secatore
Observers: Dick Hughes, Janet Kovner, John Cannizzo, Paul Roberts
Visitors: Andrea Cannizzo, Mark Gallant, Andy Sanford, Ursula Collinson.
Our full list of observers today: Janet Kovner, Paul and Julie Roberts, John Cannizzo, Dick Hughes and Bob Secatore
Weather: Contrary to the forecast that predicted Sharpie-loving brisk southwest winds for the day, instead we started out with weak WNW winds that turned to winds directly out of the south and strengthened with gusts over 20 mph. Temps 12 to 22 deg C and cloudless skies.
Raptor Observations: We accrued an additional two migrants today, a beautiful adult male Harrier that passed through over the marsh an hour after the start of the watch and a UR spotted by Janet whose view was interrupted by a school bus in parked the lot that provided an unwelcome obstructed view at a critical moment.
Raptors that failed to migrate: 2 BE (1 imm and 1 ad), several resident OS, 1 imm NH. No TVs were observed today which is unusual for us.
Non-raptor Observations: Other birds: Other than Blue Jays which continued to trickle through in modest numbers today, very few other migrants were seen including very few warblers. This observation was somewhat confirmed by reports from a number of birders who reported having lackluster day further south on the island. Also 1 Fish Crow, several Am Crows, 2 Ravens, 3 Chimney Swifts, 1 Hummer, 2 N. Gannets, 1 male Yellowthroat and 1 Thrasher, 2 Great Egrets, several Willets, 2 Killdeer.
Predictions: Considering that we've reached mid-May, the small number of additional migrants we've added in the past few counts and the dismal prospects offered by the upcoming weather forecasts for the next several days, this is a proper point to end the watch this year. See you all next spring. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Robert Secatore (<rs8843829...>) Plum Island MA information may be found at: http://www.massbird.org/emhw
