Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours
Official Counter: Michael Ceci
Observers: John Antonevich
Visitors: None
Weather: Another beautiful late spring day with temperatures in the mid '70's. Clear blue sky with white clouds to start the day at Site # 1A. @ 9:30, wind was mild ENE. The wind direction was the determining factor for the birds to be inland. As the day progressed, the wind became NNW prompting us to finish the watch at Site # 3 (Creamery Road)
Raptor Observations: The day started off with minimal activity at Site 1A. However, we were treated to a wonderful look of an Osprey directly over the site before moving inland. The first stop was Site 1B on Forsyth Road. With birds being further inland, an immediate move was made to Site # 2 (Parker Road) where we had a decent number of TV's and raptors. At 11:00 AM, the wind contained more north pushing the birds further up the escarpment where I counted from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. We were pleased to have John Antonevich join the watch @ 12:00. John started at Site 1A, and eventually moved to Site 2 (Parker Rd)where he remained for 90 minutes before joining Mike Ceci at Site to 3 (Creamery Rd) to conclude today's watch. John picked up the lower TV's that were over Site 2 and Route 20, as I concentrated my observations uphill from Site # 3. We joined together at 1:30 to collaborate our final results. John has been of tremendous help during the later portion of the 2025 Season, and we greatly appreciate his efforts.
Non-raptor Observations: Today marks the final official day of the 2025 Ripley Hawk Watch. Through the hard work and dedication of many, major strides were made during this season including a count of over 25,000 birds, new volunteers and observers coming aboard, and a vast improvement in observer hours exceeding 315 hours. During the 12:00 hour, we were delighted to have a kettle of 8 BW's pass through at Site # 3. Other BW's came through Sites 2 and 3 as singles or doubles. Nearly half of the BW's were adults. Does this sound familiar? We had a brief interval of light rain during the 12:00 hour. BW's had been far and few between until the brief shower subsided. 20 BW's passed through the watch almost immediately after the rain. This is encouraging, and it's quite evident that the BW flight hasn't concluded. The decision has been made to extend the Ripley Hawk Watch through 05/31/2025. In order to do this, we will need a good turnout of observers and volunteers on the days with favorable weather. We will continue communicating with our core group via email, text, and Facebook. For this last official day, photos and videos were taken at Sites # 1 and # 3 to demonstrate the extent of change in conditions since our opening day 03/04/2025.
Predictions: Here's the forecast for tomorrow, Friday, 05/16/2025: A few passing clouds, otherwise generally sunny. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 74F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. A closer look at the hourly forecasts indicates that we'll have S and SW winds for a portion of tomorrow. Andy Dickson will be coordinating the watch, and would appreciate help from our observers and volunteers. We'll predict a moderate flight. From past experience, we've had birds pass through after intervals of rain, especially with S and SW winds in the forecast for part of the day. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Michael Ceci (<michael.ceci541...>) Ripley Hawk Watch information may be found at: www.facebook.com/groups/3193820734258889/
