September 16 [Day 22] Finally some cloud with up to 70% cirrus and cumulus in the middle of the day but the last two hours were again essentially cloudless. The wind was strong from the west all day gusting at times to 65 km/h and rarely dropping below 40 km/h, and the temperature reached 17.5 from a low of 11C. There was dense smoke haze until 1000 but after it cleared the day was mainly sunny and viewing conditions were good. Raptor movement was slow but steady for much of the day with 25 of the day’s 72 migrants passing between 1400 and 1600. For the first time this season Golden Eagle was the most common migrant, the total of 29 being the highest count so far. An adult male Northern Harrier was the first of the season. Since 2006 we have counted 116 harriers and this is only the fourth adult male we have counted. Compared to this time last year we have counted 291 more raptors and 83 more Golden Eagles: in fact the only previous year in which Golden Eagles have moved this early was 2000. Despite the wind, passerine movement was steady through much of the day and included our first Varied Thrush of the season and a fairly late adult Brewer’s Sparrow. 12 hours (244.85) OSPR 2 (9), BAEA 3 (11), NOHA 1 (40), SSHA 21 (365), COHA 7 (114), UA 2 (46), RTHA 7 (98), GOEA 29 (103), TOTAL 72 (866)