Holiday Beach Hawk Watch Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 04, 2023 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 192 1491 4491 Osprey 0 1 42 Bald Eagle 0 6 130 Northern Harrier 3 29 401 Sharp-shinned Hawk 53 236 5439 Cooper's Hawk 4 20 111 American Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 13 56598 Red-tailed Hawk 0 7 182 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 6 97 1292 Merlin 0 1 96 Peregrine Falcon 1 4 42 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: 259 1905 68824 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours Official Counter: Hugh Kent, Peter Veighey Observers: Bob Hall-Brooks, Hugh Kent, Juliette Herdman, Noel Herdman Visitors: Big thanks again to Peter for taking over as Official Counter this afternoon, initially ably assisted by Noel and Juliette. Thanks to Bob for starting off the count. It was good to meet Stan, Vincent from Toronto, Enjoy from Hong Kong, Norbert and Marylou, Tammy and Gabriella and Cole, Jade and Andy who all took an interest in the Hawk Watch. Weather: The day started partly cloudy and it slowly became more overcast as the day wore on. It was still hot for the time of year starting in the low twenties, peaking at over 28c at mid day, slowly reducing to mid twenties during the afternoon. A lack-lustre wind from the south east increased slightly during the afternoon. Visibility was good for most of the day but haze increased toward the end of the afternoon. Raptor Observations: The lack lustre wind resulted in reduced numbers again today, with Turkey Vultures (192) appearing in small, low level kettles all to the north. Sharp-shinned Hawks were runners up, but a long way back in the field with American Kestrels (6) hardly showing. Northern Harriers (3), Cooper's Hawks (4) and a single Peregrine completed the day. Non-raptor Observations: Pretty quiet day today, excepting of course diving and squawking Blue Jays (13,060). This seems a high number but is low at this time compared to the last few years. Maybe the continuing hot weather is keeping them north. Two Red-headed Woodpeckers were a nice addition to the day. The list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S151442027 Predictions: A change to the weather is forecast for tomorrow, with moderate winds from the south west, overcast and rain developing in the afternoon. The temperature will be lower, reducing further in the coming days. Hopefully after a day of disruption tomorrow, colder weather will encourage more raptors to migrate. ======================================================================== 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