September 7 [Day 13] The day started like yesterday ended with 100% stratocumulus
and the Livingstone Range to the north obscured in low cloud, with the rain ending
around 0700. By noon, however, all the ridges were clear and the cloud progressively
diminished to 40% cumulus by the evening. Conditions were calm until 1630 when a
gentle westerly flow developed with winds never exceeding 8 km/h, and the
temperature rose to 9C at 1500 from a low of 2C. The only raptor migrant of the
morning was a Northern Goshawk, but after noon there was a steady and increasing
flow of birds. The first Broad-winged Hawk of the season passed at 1235 followed by
two others later in the afternoon, all being light morph adults, and a high-flying
Swainson's Hawk at 1455 was the 3rd of the season which is the highest total count
so far at the site. The total of 9 migrant raptor species was the highest so far
this season and it appears that after a prolonged period of poor weather the raptor
migration might at last be getting underway. The songbird migration slowed somewhat
from the frantic pace of the last couple of days, but included the season's first
records of House Wren and Barn Swallow and a second Western Tanager. The highlight
of the day came at 1714 when 4 Sandhill Cranes flew high to the west for a first
fall record for the site. 11.42 hours (138.59) BAEA 1 (2), NOHA 2 (10), SSHA 7 (75),
COHA 3 (5), NOGO 3 (5), BWHA 3 (3), SWHA 1 (3), RTHA 2 (8), GOEA 3 (19) TOTAL 25
(152)