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 (Hughnkent@gmail.com) 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