Derby Hill Bird Observatory

Yesterday concluded the Derby Hill Migration Count! It also was our hawk counter, Brandon Brogle’s, last day in New York!

We would like to say a huge thank you to Brandon for his hard work and dedication to hawk migration. He has done a great job making everyone feel welcomed. His passion for weather and the hawks was felt and seen by everyone visiting- both for newcomers and seasoned veterans. Brandon wanted everyone to feel like a hawk watcher and he did just that!

Brandon’s next adventure will be back to his home state of Pennsylvania, where he’ll spend his summer working as a seasonal field biologist for Northern Harrier. In the fall, he will return for a 4th season as the hawk counter for Waggoner’s Gap, Carlisle PA.

We will miss Brandon up on the hill but hope to see him soon!

📷: Andy Saunders

Friday, May 31, 2024 (No count conducted)

Visitors: 7

Weather: Sunny with a light N wind.

Raptor Observations: And that's a wrap! Thank you to everyone who visited and help us spot raptors. Your help and company was much appreciated!!

Friday, May 24, 2024 (26 Raptors)

Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 14:00:00
Total observation time: 3.75 hours
Official Counter Brandon Brogle
Observers: David Wheeler

Visitors: 2

Weather: Clear with a steady and gusty WNW wind.

Raptor Observations: South Lookout

Predictions:
A very brief good pattern is opening and closing on 5/25 and could provide good enough conditions for a flight. 5/27 and 5/28 also look like days to look out for.

5/25: 60% chance of afternoon precipitation, increasing clouds with a light SE wind. North Lookout.

5/26: Mostly sunny with a light W wind. South Lookout.

5/27: 80% chance of showers, strong S wind. North Lookout/shortened.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 (366 Raptors)

Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter Brandon Brogle
Observers: Bill Purcell, David Wheeler

Visitors: 9

Weather: Mostly sunny with a steady but sometimes light S wind increasing in the afternoon in front of severe thunderstorms that touched down in the early evening.

Raptor Observations: North Lookout; A steady flight with excellent looks at birds low and slow over the lookout for most of observation. We had a pre-rain burst of Turkey Vulture which was nice. Black Vulture in the early afternoon was a highlight.

Non-raptor Observations: Green Heron 8

Predictions:
It looks like another positive pattern could be opening up on 5/25 as a low pressure center from the NW slides into our region. Until then, morning liftoffs might be the only thing going on if the sun could peek out.

[5/23: 30% chance of morning showers, mostly cloudy becoming sunny with a light W wind. North/South Lookout.

5/24: Sunny with a light W wind. North/South Lookout.

5/25: 50% chance of showers, mostly sunny with a light E wind becoming S in the afternoon. North/South Lookout.]

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 (999 Raptors)

Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8.5 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: David Wheeler, Judy Thurber

Visitors: 6

Weather: Partly sunny with light and variable winds eventually becoming moderate winds from the south. Showers and a thunderstorm to close out the count.

Raptor Observations: North Lookout; All was calm in the morning but then a flight popped up seemingly out of nowhere with birds already streaming high overhead and some appearing to try to cut the corner of the lake. In the thick of it up to 10 Bald Eagles could be seen at once gliding out high and far in addition to groups of Broad-wing and small lines of Norther Harrier.

Non-raptor Observations: Great Blue Heron 1

Predictions:
The good pattern closes tomorrow night so a visit to derby could be worth it especially since the flight on 5/21 could mean that there are birds in the pipeline!

[5/22: 80% chance of late afternoon showers, partly cloudy with a light S wind. North Lookout.

5/23: 30% chance of showers, partly sunny with a light W wind. North/South Lookout.

5/24: Sunny with a light S wind becoming W in the afternoon. North/South Lookout.]

Monday, May 20, 2024 (100 Raptors)

Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 5.25 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: David Wheeler

Visitors: 30, ESF Summer Ornithology Course

Weather: Mostly sunny with a light S wind in the morning becoming steady lake breeze.

Raptor Observations: South Lookout; Most of today's flight was enjoyed at South Lookout where small groups of Broad-wing swirled around overhead while high flying Bald Eagles also made their way by.

Predictions:
An improving pattern begins tonight and should provide new birds each day, especially if the south wind can hold off the lake breeze and keep us at North Lookout.

[5/21: 20% chance of afternoon showers, partly sunny with a light S wind. North/South Lookout.

5/22: 50% chance of afternoon showers, mostly sunny with a light SW wind. North/South Lookout.

5/23: 40% chance of showers, partly sunny with a steady W wind. North/South Lookout.]

Sunday, May 19, 2024 (282 Raptors)

Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 7.5 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: David Wheeler

Visitors: 16

Weather: Mostly clear in the morning becoming partly sunny then fully clear again in the afternoon. Steady SE wind in the morning becoming lake breeze.

Raptor Observations: North Lookout; South Lookout; The flight started out slow but eventually picked up momentum in the late morning with small groups of Turkey Vulture and Broad-winged Hawks streaming high over NLO with the occasional Bald Eagle mixed in. Golden Eagle #110 a definite highlight. Once the air mass shifted to lake air the flight ended abruptly.

Predictions:
An improving pattern will begin in the early morning hours of 5/21, stay tuned until then. Late season flights usually consist of a liftoff and brief flight before a wind shift shuts down flights in the afternoon in the absence of an honest S wind.

[5/20: Morning fog, mostly sunny with a light SE wind becoming W in the afternoon. North/South Lookout.

5/21: 20% chance of afternoon showers, mostly sunny with a steady S wind becoming W in the afternoon. North/South Lookout.

5/22: 30% chance of afternoon showers, mostly sunny with a steady S wind. North/South Lookout.]

Saturday, May 18, 2024 (207 Raptors)

Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 18:00:00
Total observation time: 8.75 hours

Official Counter: Bill Purcell, Brandon Brogle

Observers: Bill Purcell, David Wheeler, Kennedy Sullivan,
Sneaky Pete Davidson

Visitors: 16

Weather: Mist in the morning becoming overcast then clearing to partly sunny skies with a steady SE wind.

Raptor Observations: North Lookout; While slow to start, today featured most birds going over the bluff at a medium distance. Eventually the flight went directly overhead before ceasing.

Predictions:
The next few light and variable days will hopefully provide at least a trickle of birds starting in the morning becoming flights in the afternoon once the moisture in the atmosphere burns off and soaring conditions improve.

[5/19: Morning fog, mostly sunny, with a light SE wind becoming lake breeze in the afternoon. North/South Lookout.

5/20: Morning fog, mostly sunny with a light S wind becoming W in the afternoon. North/South Lookout.

5/21: 20% chance of precipitation in the afternoon, mostly sunny with a light S wind becoming SW in the afternoon. North/South Lookout.]

Friday, May 17, 2024 (1353 Raptors)

Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle, David Wheeler

Observers: Bill Purcell, David Wheeler, Kennedy Sullivan,
Ron and Pat Freed

Visitors: 15

Weather: Mostly sunny with a steady ESE wind eventually clouding over in the late afternoon.

Raptor Observations: Another great May flight day with Bald Eagle, Broad-winged Hawk, and Turkey Vulture dominating the count. For the most part the flight was high overhead and over the bluff before shifting to out in front and slightly to our south once the broad-wings shut down and Turkey Vulture continued to fly.

Predictions:
The next few days should hopefully provide good soaring conditions for birds escaping precipitation to our south. Could be good!

[5/18: 30% chance of morning showers, partly sunny with a steady SE wind. North Lookout.

5/19: Sunny with a light SE wind becoming NW in the afternoon. North/South Lookout.

5/20: Mostly sunny, light SW becoming lake breeze sometime in the morning. North/South Lookout.]

Thursday, May 16, 2024 (960 Raptors)

Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 7.5 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: David Wheeler, Kennedy Sullivan, Mary Dreiling,
Ron and Pat Freed, Sneaky Pete Davidson

Visitors: 8

Weather: Fog in the morning giving way to partly to mostly sunny skies with a light N wind.

Raptor Observations: South Lookout; Today's flight was distant to the south and best observed by scope for nearly the full duration of observation with few birds flying directly overhead.

Predictions:
Good conditions will persist the next few days and should provide good opportunities for flights if rain can hold off. Either distant flights at South Lookout or days that start at North and end at South.

[5/17: 20% chance of afternoon showers, mostly cloudy with a steady SE wind. North Lookout.

5/18: 30% chance of showers, partly sunny with a steady SE wind. North Lookout.

5/19: Sunny with a light SE wind becoming calm. North/South Lookout.]

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 (1186 Raptors)

Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 7.5 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: David Wheeler, Mike Tetlow

Visitors: 7

Weather: Mostly sunny with occasional rain showers to our south. Light SE breeze becoming NNE in the afternoon.

Raptor Observations: North Lookout; South Lookout; Today's flight started out nice but was high. Once lake breeze kicked in we lost it for a little while before picking it up again distant to our south. A strong showing of Bald Eagle with as many as 10+ seen during a single scan of the horizon.

Non-raptor Observations: Great Blue Heron 1

Predictions:
5/15 looks like a difficult flight day with 5/16 looking like a day that has promise in addition to 5/17.

[5/15: 70% of showers with morning fog, cloudy with a light E wind. North/South Lookout/Late start.

5/16: 20% chance of showers, partly sunny with a light N wind. South Lookout.

5/17: 30% chance of afternoon showers, partly sunny with a steady SE wind. North/South Lookout.]

Monday, May 13, 2024 (313 Raptors)

Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 18:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: Bill Purcell, David Wheeler

Visitors: 7

Weather:
Partly cloudy with an hour of showers in the late morning becoming clear and then partly sunny again. Steady SE wind.

Raptor Observations:
North Lookout; Today featured a steady flight that was majority low and close. Showers stopped the flight but it resumed shortly after the last sprinkle cleared and continued up until the early evening.

Predictions:
A stationary front is threatening upcoming hawk flights. If conditions are good enough local birds will migrate and will ideally be replaced by birds moving ahead of the rain to our south.

[5/14: 60% chance of showers, partly sunny with a light S wind becoming NW in the afternoon. North/South Lookout.

5/15: 40% chance of showers, partly sunny, with a light E wind becoming N in the afternoon. North/South Lookout.

5/16: Mostly sunny with a light NW wind. South Lookout.

Sunday, May 12, 2024 (272 Raptors)

Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 18:00:00
Total observation time: 7.25 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: Bill Purcell, David Wheeler

Visitors: 12

Weather: Ranging from partly sunny to nearly fully clear with a light wind that battled between south and north all day.

Raptor Observations: North Lookout; North Lookout; Today featured another nice flight that ebbed and flowed with the cloud cover. A nice highlight were 9 Bald Eagles in a single stream and a Cooper's Hawk that swooped into the bird feeders behind us. We were first alerted to the Coop's presence when we heard the air ripping by the speed of the stoop.

Non-raptor Observations: Sandhill Crane 1

Predictions:
The improving pattern will continue on 5/13 and potentially through 5/14 with flights likely if the sun can peek through the clouds.

[5/13: 60% chance of showers, mostly cloudy with a moderate S wind. North Lookout.

5/14: 80% showers, mostly cloudy with a steady S wind. North Lookout.

5/15: 40% chance of showers, partly sunny with a steady N wind. South Lookout. ]

Saturday, May 11, 2024 (682 Raptors)

Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle, David Wheeler

Observers: Anna Stunkel, Bill Purcell, Mike and Joann Tetlow

Visitors: Thank you to everyone who came to discover Derby Hill Day! 45.

Weather: Partly sunny with a steady SE breeze.

Raptor Observations: North Lookout; Today featured a nice change from the last week with what became an honest hawk flight that started up in the early morning and continued throughout the day. The flight line wavered from overhead to over the bluff and in the distance from right to left.

Non-raptor Observations: Green Heron 3, Great Blue Heron 5

Predictions:
After the strong flight on 5/11 there is strong hope that the flight could continue on 5/12, especially if the sun could peek out between the clouds.

[5/12: 30% chance of showers, mostly cloudy with a steady SE wind. North Lookout.

5/13: 70% chance of showers, mostly cloudy with a steady/strong S wind. North Lookout/Shortened.

5/14: 90% chance of showers with a steady S wind. North Lookout/Shortened. ]

Friday, March 10, 2024 (22 Raptors)

Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 14:00:00
Total observation time: 4 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Visitors: 6

Weather: Cloudy with brief periods of drizzle and a light, variable breeze eventually coming off the lake.

Raptor Observations:
Little activity today with only a few birds making their way by the lookout.

Predictions:
A mildly improving pattern starts tomorrow and will hopefully bring some new birds into our region. Rainy conditions could hamper a flight but fingers are crossed!

[5/11: 30% chance of showers, partly sunny, with a steady SE wind. North Lookout.

5/12: 40% chance of morning showers, cloudy becoming mostly sunny with a steady SE wind. North Lookout.

5/13: 70% chance of showers, mostly cloudy with a moderate S wind. North Lookout.]

Thursday, May 9, 2024 (108 Raptors)

Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 5 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: David Wheeler, Kennedy Sullivan

Visitors: 5

Weather: Mostly sunny becoming clear with what felt like light lake breeze.

Raptor Observations: South Lookout; Today featured a slow but steady drift of birds that never came too close to the count pad.

Non-raptor Observations: Sandhill Crane 1

Predictions:
Surface weather is once again unsettled and uncertain so a prediction would be difficult. Our best upcoming conditions would be light wind and sun, and good luck!

[5/10: 80% chance of morning precipitation, calm becoming light NE in the afternoon. South Lookout.

5/11: 50% chance of showers, mostly cloudy with a light S wind. North Lookout.

5/12: 40% chance of showers with a light S wind becoming W in the afternoon. North Lookout/South Lookout.]

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 (196 Raptors)

Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 6.5 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: Bill Purcell, David Wheeler, Sneaky Pete Davidson

Visitors: 5

Weather: Partly sunny becoming clear eventually turning overcast with showers in the afternoon.

Raptor Observations: North Lookout; South Lookout; Today's flight started started strong but began to tail after after the switch to the South Lookout but featured good looks at the few Broad-wings and Bald Eagles that made their way by the lookout low and slow. Most of the flight seemed distant and spotting was difficult in clear blue sky.

Non-raptor Observations: Great Blue Heron 1

Predictions:
Low pressure systems will continue to pass to our south which could restrict the flow of raptors north. The determined could still enjoy what flights we could get in the coming days.

[5/9: Partly sunny with a light N wind. South Lookout.

5/10: 80% chance of rain with a light NE wind. South Lookout.

5/11: 40% chance of showers, mostly cloudy with a light S wind becoming calm in the afternoon. North Lookout.]

Tuesday, May 7, 2024 (270 Raptors)

Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 6.5 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: Bill Purcell, David Wheeler

Visitors: 5

Weather: Clear with light wind becoming lake breeze.

Raptor Observations: South Lookout; Today featured an oftentimes distant flight of mostly Broad-winged and Turkey Vulture with few birds flying overhead. Bald Eagle and Northern Harrier could occasionally found mixed in with the small groups of the dominant raptors.

Predictions:
Likely smaller numbers than today but of similar composition these next few days as a messy low pressure system passes to our south.

[5/8: 80% chance of on and off precipitation with a steady SE wind becoming W in the afternoon. North Lookout/South Lookout.

5/9: 60% of afternoon showers, mostly cloudy with a steady NE wind. North Lookout/South Lookout.

5/10: 70% chance of precipitation, mostly cloudy with a steady NE wind. North Lookout/South Lookout.]

Monday, May 6, 2024 (376 Raptors)

Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: Bill Purcell

Visitors: 1

Weather: Early morning fog clearing to mostly sunny with a steady WNW wind.

Raptor Observations: South Lookout; Today featured a steady drift of birds distant to the north and distant to the south with few birds going directly overhead. The excitement, however, came in the form of a non-raptor when the American White Pelican that was found along the east lake-shore a few days ago was spotted as it was flying SW from the lookout pad.

Non-raptor Observations: Great Blue Heron 1, American White Pelican 1

Predictions:
Atmospheric conditions coming out of april are still unsettled and so a steady drift of birds could be expected with weather not getting much better, but more importantly not getting much worse.

[5/7: Sunny with a light and variable wind becoming NW in the afternoon. North Lookout/South Lookout.

5/8: 80% of morning showers with a steady SE wind becoming W in the afternoon. North Lookout/South Lookout.

5/9: 60% chance of afternoon showers, mostly cloudy with a light E wind. North Lookout/South Lookout.]

Sunday, May 5, 2024 (No count conducted)

Visitors: 5

Weather:
All day rain and showers with few breaks.

Predictions:
Without a true south wind we are at the mercy of the lake and whatever is on the lake-shore.

[5/6: Morning fog clearing to mostly cloudy and then sunny with a light W wind. North Lookout/South Lookout/Shortened.

5/7: Sunny starting light and variable becoming NW. North Lookout/South Lookout.

5/8: 60% chance of showers, mostly cloudy with a light SE wind becoming W in the afternoon. North Lookout/South Lookout.]

Saturday, May 4, 2024 (176 Raptors)

Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 7.75 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: Bill Purcell, Charlie Long, Dave Fitch, David Wheeler,
Kevin McGann, Sneaky Pete Davidson

Visitors: 14

Weather: Mostly cloudy with a light to steady SE wind.

Raptor Observations: North Lookout; Today's flight was at times close overhead in addition to at a medium distance over the lake and consisted of mostly Sharp-shins, some Osprey, and Bald Eagle.

Predictions:
A moister laden atmosphere and a lack of a dry south wind will restrict flights throughout these coming days. Cold and stationary fronts to our south might make it difficult for birds to head for the hill, but once again, you never know.

[5/5: 100% chance of rain and showers throughout the day, strong SE wind. North Lookout/Cancelled.

5/6: Cloudy becoming mostly sunny with a light W wind. North Lookout/South Lookout.

5/7: Sunny with a light SE wind becoming calm. North Lookout/South Lookout.]

Friday, May 3, 2024 (991 Raptors)

Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 18:00:00
Total observation time: 8.75 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: Bill Purcell, David Wheeler, Mike and Joann Tetlow

Visitors: 16

Weather: Mostly to partly sunny with a steady SE wind.

Raptor Observations: North Lookout; Today was overall filled with high flying birds mostly composed of medium-sized groups of Turkey Vulture with Sharp-shinned mixed in or on their own flight line in addition to a steady flow of Bald Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk. Falcon sweep.

Predictions:
Clouds and threat of rain could put a damper on the flight. We have the right wind for the right reason these next two days, I hope we have birds behind it that don't mind the rain or lack of sun.

[5/4: Mostly cloudy with a steady SE wind. North Lookout.

5/5: 70% chance of showers and a possible thunderstorm, cloudy with a strong SE wind. North Lookout/Shortened.

5/6: Mostly sunny with a light W wind. North Lookout/South Lookout.]

Thursday, May 2, 2024 (1210 Raptors)

Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: David Wheeler

Visitors: 14, Today wrapped up Ralph Geuder's multi-week visit to the hill. See you next year!

Weather: Clear with a steady and chilly WNW wind.

Raptor Observations: Today featured a strong start with Turkey Vulture and Broad-winged with a few Bald and Golden Eagles mixing in before eventually slowing down in the afternoon. Spotting was difficult with blue skies.

Non-raptor Observations: Sandhill Crane 3

Predictions:
A moisture laden atmosphere will pass over us these next few days which could make migration difficult. 5/3 seems like better forecasted conditions over the latter but you never know what could happen on SE winds.

[5/3: Mostly sunny, light SE wind. Lake breeze possible. North Lookout/South Lookout.

5/4: 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms, cloudy with a steady SE wind. North Lookout/Shortened.

5/5: 70% chance of showers, cloudy with a strong SE wind. North Lookout/Shortened.]

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (2012 Raptors)

Observation start time: 13:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 3.25 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: David Wheeler

Visitors: 8

Weather: Fog through the morning into the afternoon eventually clearing in the mid afternoon to mostly sunny with a moderate NNW breeze.

Raptor Observations: South Lookout; Once the atmosphere dried out the flight was quick to start mostly dominated by Broad-wings streaming high overhead with Bald Eagle, Osprey, and Northern Harrier also making strong pushes.

Predictions:
Surface weather seems to be fighting between cold and warm fronts these next few days. 5/3 and 5/4 look like interesting days, however.

[5/2: Fog in the morning clearing early, partly sunny with a moderate W wind. North Lookout/South Lookout.

5/3: Mostly sunny with a light SE wind. Lake breeze likely. North Lookout/South Lookout.

5/4: 40% chance of showers, mostly cloudy with a moderate SE wind. North Lookout.]

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 (3416 Raptors)

Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 5.5 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: Bill Purcell, David Wheeler, Kennedy Sullivan

Visitors: 9

Weather: Mostly sunny in the morning with a variable wind eventually becoming NW and then overcast. Showers in the afternoon.

Raptor Observations: The day started out with a low liftoff that quickly built in intensity right over the lookout pad and was almost entirely consisted of Broad-winged Hawk and a few Turkey Vultures. The flight eventually shifted to our south and slacked off before oncoming rain in the afternoon.

Non-raptor Observations: Sandhill Crane 3

Predictions:
The afternoon of 5/1 could hold some promise as does the next few days since there should be more birds in our region waiting to move. It may be less than steady but a BW flight could pop up any time.

5/1: Cloudy becoming mostly sunny with a light NW wind. South Lookout.

5/2: Mostly sunny with a steady W wind. North Lookout/South Lookout.

5/3: 20% chance of afternoon showers, partly sunny with a light SE wind. North Lookout.

Monday, April 29, 2024 (3189 Raptors)

Observation start time: 10:00:00
Observation end time: 18:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: David Wheeler

Visitors: 4

Weather: Humid and overcast with a light N wind in the morning eventually clearing to some blue sky in the afternoon.

Raptor Observations: South Lookout; The count started off slow and didn't seem very promising before the atmosphere dried out. Then a Broad-winged flight popped up seemingly put of nowhere. it started off close and then moved distant to our south. The juice was worth the squeeze.

Non-raptor Observations: Great Blue Heron 1

Predictions:
Today is proof that anything can happen if you wait long enough! Messy low pressure will likely shut down any chance of a flight on 4/30 but light conditions on 5/1 and 5/2 could produce the rest of the birds that are currently missing in action in addition to some potential new arrivals that rode the wind ahead of tomorrow's rain.

[4/30: 100% chance of showers then a possible thunderstorm, light SE wind becoming W in the afternoon. North Lookout/South Lookout/Shortened.

5/1: Cloudy becoming mostly sunny with a light W wind. North Lookout/South Lookout.

5/2: Partly sunny with a light SW wind becoming W in the afternoon. North Lookout/South Lookout.]

Sunday, April 28, 2024 (583 Raptors)

Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 14:00:00
Total observation time: 5.75 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: Bill Purcell, David Wheeler

Visitors: 15

Weather:
Towering cumulus clouds in the morning becoming clear and then overcast with a light SE/SW wind. Drizzle and showers in the afternoon.

Raptor Observations: Today's flight was majority overhead and eventually became pretty high despite full cloud cover. Few birds moving ahead of precipitation that shut down the count.

Non-raptor Observations: Great Blue Heron 3

Predictions:
The next few days appear very uncertain for the count as a stationary front sets up to our south and will occlude quickly providing rain. If precipitation is light birds should hopefully be on the move but you never know.

[4/29: 20% chance of morning showers, mostly cloudy with a light N wind. South Lookout.

4/30: 80% chance of showers and a possible thunderstorm, light SE wind becoming NW in the afternoon. North Lookout/South Lookout/Shortened.

5/1: Partly sunny with a light W wind. North Lookout/South Lookout.]

Saturday, April 27, 2024 (956 Raptors)

Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours

Official Counter: Brandon Brogle

Observers: Anna Stunkel, David Wheeler

Visitors: 40

Weather: Partly sunny becoming overcast with a moderate SE wind. Drizzle and showers
in the afternoon.

Raptor Observations: Today featured a strong liftoff of mostly close Broad-winged and
Sharp-shinned Hawks in addition to a stream of distant Bald Eagles. Precipitation slowed the count but Osprey and Northern Harrier continued to
migrate.

Non-raptor Observations: Great morning flight with few first of season birds, but still a good number of April migrants.

Predictions:
The next few days will likely feature similar drift flights but look difficult to predict as weather remains unstable and uncertain.

[4/28: 50% chance of morning showers, mostly cloudy with a light SE wind becoming SW in the afternoon. North Lookout.

4/29: Mostly cloudy with a light N wind. South Lookout.

4/30: 70% chance of afternoon showers and a possible thunderstorm, mostly cloudy with a light SE wind becoming NW in the afternoon. North Lookout/South Lookout. ]