Holiday Beach Hawk Watch
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 05, 2023
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Turkey Vulture 3 1788 68976
Osprey 0 0 46
Bald Eagle 1 16 275
Northern Harrier 9 21 768
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 88 8874
Cooper's Hawk 0 11 321
American Goshawk 0 1 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 40 414
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 56725
Red-tailed Hawk 5 196 1775
Rough-legged Hawk 1 5 9
Golden Eagle 0 2 14
American Kestrel 1 4 2612
Merlin 1 2 129
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 89
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: 28 2175 141032
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Hugh Kent
Observers: Chuck Sharbaugh, Ian Woodfield, Liz Kent, Paul Gosselin,
Peter Veighey
Visitors:
Big thanks to Chuck, Paul, Peter, Ian and Neil for being with us and
observing what they could in the variable mist. It was good to meet Mike
and a number of other visitors who showed interest in the Hawk Watch.
Weather:
It was misty all day, with the mist lifting to an extent for periods
resulting in visibility varying between 50m to 5km. The wind started light
to moderate generally from the north, shifting to the west early afternoon
then to the south by the end of the day. When we could see the sky, it was
generally overcast with the sun shining through a few times. The
temperature remained about 7c, rising to 9c on occasions.
Raptor Observations:
A very quiet day started well, with the first raptor being a dark phase
Rough-legged Hawk passing close to the Tower. Northern Harrier (9) were the
most numerous, being relaxed enough to fly in the mist. Next were
Red-tailed Hawk (5) and Sharp-shinned Hawk (5), Turkey Vultures (3) and
Red-shouldered Hawks (2). There were singles of a Bald Eagle, an American
Kestrel and a Merlin which finished the day well by giving a great perched
view before heading west.
Non-raptor Observations:
Lots of small bird activity around the Tower, with Carolina Wren (3) and
Winter Wren (2) being very vociferous and loud. Dark-eyed Junco (8) have
returned to join the ever present White-throated Sparrow (8) and the recent
arrivals, the Fox Sparrow (2). American Pipit (16) and Eastern Bluebird
(12) passed over us in the mist (the numbers are probably an underestimate
as we tallied one every time we heard them fly over). In the marsh many
ducks were again seen when the mist cleared, Canvasback (10) flew over and
Tundra Swan (14) landed in the marsh. A Common Loon was seen and heard on
the lake. The list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S153852879
Predictions:
Tomorrow's forecast shows a moderate to strong wind from the south, with
rain likely in the afternoon. Temperatures start at 8c rising to 15c in the
afternoon. It is likely to be overcast. We will start the day as normal and
play it by ear if the rain arrives in the afternoon. Hopefully we will see
more than today, unless the mist returns!
========================================================================
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
--
Ontbirds and Birdnews are moderated email Listservs provided by the Ontario
Field Ornithologists (OFO) as a service to all birders in Ontario.
Birdnews is reserved for announcements, location summaries, first of year
reports, etc. To post a message on Birdnews, send an email to:
[email protected].
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Birdnews Moderators by email
at [email protected]. Please review posting rules and guidelines at
http://ofo.ca/site/content/listserv-guidelines
During the COVID-19 pandemic, all Ontario birders should be taking extra
precautions and following local, provincial, and federal regulations regarding
physical distancing and non-essential travel.
To find out more about OFO, please visit our website at ofo.ca or Facebook page
at https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists.
