Holiday Beach Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 187 5520 6775 Osprey 2 7 79 Bald Eagle 2 20 112 Northern Harrier 3 37 372 Sharp-shinned Hawk 159 1170 6332 Cooper's Hawk 15 117 301 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 5 10 Broad-winged Hawk 0 84 18256 Red-tailed Hawk 0 44 266 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 1 American Kestrel 30 193 1213 Merlin 4 22 85 Peregrine Falcon 1 26 60 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 6 Unknown Buteo 0 1 8 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 1 Total: 403 7246 33879 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Justin Bosler Observers: Ethan Melag Visitors: Approximately 100 grade school students, teachers, and chaperones, from the St. Pius School, were led by Bev Wannick. Also, an additional half dozen visitors, including Ethan Melag and Caroline Staddon. If the rain holds off, we can expect upwards of 200 students tomorrow. In the meantime, where can one find a 50 foot (or 15.5 meter) bungy cord? Weather: Partly cloudy to overcast skies with light Southwest to South-southwest winds at 1 to 5 mph early, then swinging around to the Southeast by early PM and calming slightly. The onshore winds were exceedingly calm for the better part of the day. Temps. ranged from 11 to about 15C. Visibility fair to good. Raptor Observations: Today winds were much calmer than predicted, and this may have completely killed any chance of a flight. Small numbers of vultures and Sharpies. 2 Ospreys were a treat, as were 4 Merlins. Non-raptor Observations: 12 species of waterfowl, American Bittern- 1, Black-crowned Night-Heron- 3 (1 subad., 2 juv.), Common Moorhen- 4+ (lingering), Bald Eagle- 4 deemed as locals, Killdeer- 136, Lesser Yellowlegs- 7, Common Nighthawk- 1, Chimney Swift- 5, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- 3, Red-bellied Woodpecker- 2 (westbound migrants) Tree Swallow- 2,000 (probably a few roughwings mixed in--too far from the "mass"), Blue Jay- 72,900, Golden-crowned Kinglet- 6, Brown Thrasher- 2 (local pair), Am. Pipit- 93, Cedar Waxwing- 55, Warblers noted include Nashville(5 together), Palm(1) Yellow-rumped(few dozen), Blackpoll(1), and Common Yellowthroat(1-2). Indigo Bunting- 2, Purple Finch- 1, House Finch- 6, Pine Siskin- 3 (FOF, in w/ AMGO), Am. Goldfinch- 5,330 (a few flocks containing 100+), Other: Monarch- 5. Predictions: Overcast skies with rain showers likely. North to North-northeast winds at 5 to 10 mph. High of 13C. Chance of rain around 100%. **Special announcement** On Sunday, 11 October, we will be participating in the 15th Annual International Big Sit here at the Holiday Beach Conservation Area. It is in our best interest to carry on the Big Sit tradition at this important bird migration corridor. The Hawk Tower will act as our official count circle. The more birders and eyes the better, so come on out! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Justin Bosler ([email protected]) Holiday Beach Migration Observatory information may be found at: http://hbmo.org/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
