Holiday Beach Conservation Area Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 10, 2013 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 2 1334 41595 Osprey 0 0 76 Bald Eagle 1 29 353 Northern Harrier 3 26 410 Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 68 6549 Cooper's Hawk 2 33 609 Northern Goshawk 0 3 6 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 92 707 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 48629 Red-tailed Hawk 41 878 3502 Rough-legged Hawk 1 12 29 Golden Eagle 1 46 69 American Kestrel 0 2 1140 Merlin 3 6 91 Peregrine Falcon 2 7 40 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1 Unknown Buteo 0 0 8 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 1 Black Vulture 0 1 1 Gyrfalcon 0 0 1 Mississippi Kite 0 0 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 7 Total: 69 2538 103825 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Kory Renaud Observers: Bob Hall-Brooks, Dennis Patrick, Gwen Patrick, Jason Craft, Jim McCoy, Paul Pratt Visitors: A few families walking through the park came up to the tower to have a look. Local birders Derek and Christina stopped by with hopes of seeing a Golden Eagle but unfortunately arrived a little too late. Thanks to all observers who braved the winds to help scan the skies. Weather: The temperate ranged from a low of 6.5 climbing to a high of 9.1 C. The winds were strong out of the west the entire day making it feel a little cooler. The forcasted shift to a more northerly direction unfortunately did not occur. The skies were mostly cloudy throughout the day with the occasional patch of blue sky and even a little sun. Raptor Observations: Despite the less than favourable winds, a total of 69 raptors of 11 species were counted. The highlights for the day were 2 Peregrine Falcons that came over the trees, dropped to tower level and then quickly continued on down the beach, and an immature Golden Eagle that flew by late afternoon. Non-raptor Observations: Tundra swans are starting to move through in larger flocks - 145, a single late Tree Swallow fought the strong headwinds early in the morning, Goldfinches are still moving through in numbers - 535, A single Am. Crow late in the day, Great Blue Heron - 10, Great Egrets - 2, Lesser Yellowlegs 2, Dunlin 2. Predictions: Gusty winds out of the SW switching to W. Cloudy with rain beginning late morning. 90% POP. High of 8C. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kory Renaud (koryrenaud@gmail.com) Holiday Beach Conservation Area information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/