Holiday Beach Migration Observatory Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 16, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 2 28 28 Osprey 7 27 27 Bald Eagle 0 13 13 Northern Harrier 14 161 161 Sharp-shinned Hawk 300 1280 1280 Cooper's Hawk 2 52 52 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 3 464 464 Red-tailed Hawk 0 43 43 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 60 395 395 Merlin 4 21 21 Peregrine Falcon 1 4 4 Unknown 0 1 1 Total: 393 2489 2489 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Mike Fitzpatrick Observers: Claude Radley, Jim Heflich Visitors: Claude Radley and Jim Heflich provided excellent and welcome assistance throughout the day Weather: Cool; constant north wind around 16.8 km all day; 100% low cloud cover; occasional spits of rain in the A.M. Raptor Observations: a steady stream of sharpies and kestrels all day, mostly on the same east-west line, some directly over the tower. 4 "hell-bent-for-leather" merlins provided some excitement. Ospreys were very cooperative, as were a couple of imm. broadwings. Based upon wind and cloud cover, we expected more. The flight petered out around 1:30(EST. Non-raptor Observations: Hardly any passerines were seen or heard, although Jim and Patty Heflich, members from Cleveland, had some decent warblers out of the wind, in the trees on the beach. We were in constant view of a large flock of swallows most of the day, inc tree, barn, and rough-winged. Yesterday's snipe was still in the tower pond, and the same ass't of soras were heard, but less frequently than Thurs. Predictions: Skies should clear towrds noon, and winds are expected out of the north. Will it be the much anticipated broad-wing day? Bring your binos and family to the annual Hawkfest Celebration, and enjoy the flight, and the activities. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Michael Fitzpatrick ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Holiday Beach Migration Observatory information may be found at: http://hbmo.org/ Site Description: Holiday Beach Migration Observatory Information on southern Ontario's hawk migration and the Holiday Beach Conservation Area site ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Southwestern Ontario is largely an area of flat, featureless farmland. There are only two geographic features of note in the region. One is the proximity of the Great lakes, which influence bird migration in the area to a great extent, The second is the shape of the province, roughly funnel-shaped with the narrow end to the southwest. These features confine south-bound bird migrants, especially hawks, to specific flight corridors. Holiday Beach Conservation Area was formerly a Provincial Park, but is now administered by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). It is strategically located at the extreme southwestern tip of southern Ontario. The park is on the eastern end of a large freshwater estuary known as Big Creek. (Specifically the site is 1.1 miles south of the junction Highway 20 (old 18) and Essex Road 50, Town of Amherstburg). The Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO) (founded in 1986) is a non-profit, volunteer organization formed to promote the study and protection of migrating birds. Activities focus primarily on fall migration of raptors and other species. This site is in Essex County, Ontario, on the north shore of Lake Erie near the Detroit River. In 1988, HBMO persuaded Detroit Edison to donate a 40 foot Hawk Tower which is now at the site. Southwestern Ontario has a funneling effect on migrating raptors due to the geography of the nearby lakes and the reluctance of most raptors to cross large bodies of water. Birds gain altitude over the flat farmland to the north and east, rising easily with the thermals that such areas provide in abundance. As the birds head south they meet Lake Erie and, reluctant to cross it , turn west. With appropriate wind and weather conditions, birds pile up along the lake shore and move west until they reach the narrow crossing at the Detroit River (or island hop within the river mouth). Directions to site: See http://hbmo.org/directions.php
