Holiday Beach Hawk Watch
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 26, 2021
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Turkey Vulture 18567 57695 62572
Osprey 0 9 26
Bald Eagle 6 52 134
Northern Harrier 10 281 484
Sharp-shinned Hawk 164 4089 7437
Cooper's Hawk 22 142 224
Northern Goshawk 0 3 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 198 283 286
Broad-winged Hawk 1 20 5261
Red-tailed Hawk 323 1027 1162
Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
Golden Eagle 3 5 5
American Kestrel 3 674 1299
Merlin 2 23 113
Peregrine Falcon 1 35 86
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: 19300 64339 79093
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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: Bob Hall-Brooks, Chip Ogglesby, Dan Loncke, Kit McCann,
Liz Kent
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 day was dominated by a moderate to mostly strong wind from the north
west. Starting clear, scattered clouds increased throughout the day,
visibility remained good all day. The temperature remained below 10c,
except for an hour mid afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
After the hawk wash of yesterday, it seemed that we saw two days worth of
raptors today. Turkey Vultures again dominated with a staggering total of
18567, the second largest in HBMO hawk watch history. Significant numbers
of buteos were mixed with the stream, with 323 Red-tailed Hawks and 198
Red-shouldered Hawks. Sharp-shinned Hawks (164) again passed with good
numbers and Cooper's Hawks (22) saw an increase. All three falcon species
were seen, but in very low numbers. 3 immature Golden Eagles were seen
within the space of an hour mid afternoon.
Non-raptor Observations:
Generally a quiet day for other species, but there was the usual rush of
Blackbirds in the early morning. It was nice to spot two Eastern
Meadowlarks flying with them. American Crows (2700) are on the increase
with hardly any Blue Jays being seen. A few late Tree Swallows (14) were
spotted within the mass of raptors. Duck numbers remain high. The list is
at https://ebird.org/checklist/S96750285
Predictions:
Tomorrow the wind is forecast to remain from the north, so it is likely we
will have the same mix of raptors as today, with possibly reduced numbers.
The day will be overcast, hopefully the cloud level will not be too low and
provide a good background to spot the raptors.
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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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