Holiday Beach Hawk Watch
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 22, 2021
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Turkey Vulture 3129 35413 40290
Osprey 1 9 26
Bald Eagle 9 46 128
Northern Harrier 10 242 445
Sharp-shinned Hawk 33 3821 7169
Cooper's Hawk 2 116 198
Northern Goshawk 1 3 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 20 76 79
Broad-winged Hawk 0 19 5260
Red-tailed Hawk 162 649 784
Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
Golden Eagle 1 1 1
American Kestrel 4 666 1291
Merlin 0 20 110
Peregrine Falcon 1 33 84
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 3373 41115 55869
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Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Hugh Kent
Observers: Ian Woodfield, Jim McCoy, Liz Kent, Michelle Mastellotto,
Olga Klekner
Visitors:
We thank all today's observers for their outstanding efforts and those
interested in the ongoing Hawk Count. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, access
to the top level of Hawk Tower is limited to hawk counters and qualified
observers only. The 2nd and lower levels are open to the public practising
COVID-19 safe precautions (social distancing). Thank you for your
understanding and involvement.
Weather:
The wind remained light to moderate generally from the north west all day.
The day started cold at around 6c and the temperature rose to 11c in the
afternoon. Cloud increased throughout the day, but visibility remained
good.
Raptor Observations:
The first Golden Eagle of the season flew gracefully past the Tower at
about 1.15pm. Turkey Vulture numbers remained high at 3129 and we are
beginning to see more buteos: 162 Red-tailed Hawks and 20 Red-shouldered
Hawks, generally passing by at quite a high level with the Vultures.
Northern Harrier numbers (10) were reduced, with good numbers of Bald
Eagles (9) passing high. Accipiter numbers were lower with only 33
Sharp-shinned Hawks, but another Northern Goshawk passed high along the
shoreline. Falcon numbers were low with only 4 American Kestrels and a
single Peregrine seen.
Non-raptor Observations:
Blue Jay numbers seem to be holding up at 3,210, but American Crows are
catching up with 1,090 seen today. More Eastern Bluebirds (22) are passing
high and 69 American Robins were seen, generally accompanying the Jays.
Good numbers of Blackbirds headed west in the first couple of hours: 3,340
Red-winged Blackbirds, 605 Common Grackles and 375 Brown-headed Cowbirds.
There was a good variety of Sparrows, but not in large numbers. A very fine
male White-crowned Sparrow was present all day around the tower. Duck
numbers on the Marsh continue to increase, especially Ring-necked Duck
(930). The list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S96568341
Predictions:
Tomorrow the wind turns to the west, so the raptors are likely to pass us
further north. Light rain is possible. Temperatures will be similar, but
the clouds should clear in the afternoon. Hopefully raptor numbers will
remain similar to today.
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Report submitted by Hugh Kent ([email protected])
Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at:
http://hbmo.ca/
More site information at hawkcount.org:
https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=100
Count data submitted via Dunkadoo - Project info at:
https://dunkadoo.org/explore/hbmo/hbmo-hawk-watch-fall-2021
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