Holiday Beach Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 21, 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 9 60 60 Osprey 2 48 48 Bald Eagle 1 30 30 Northern Harrier 32 291 291 Sharp-shinned Hawk 169 2598 2598 Cooper's Hawk 10 95 95 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 4 3815 3815 Red-tailed Hawk 6 103 103 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 3 3 3 American Kestrel 56 1232 1232 Merlin 2 35 35 Peregrine Falcon 2 18 18 Unknown 1 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 2 2 Total: 296 8331 8331 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours Official Counter: Claude Radley Observers: Visitors: Among the visitors were Wray and Judy Hawke from Port Dover ON. John and Florence Hawarden from Waterford, MI. Larry and Carol Ludwiski from Troy, MI. all of whom spent most of the day with us and their help was much appreciated. Bob and Carl brought a couple of warblers and a Vireo up from the banding station for the folks to see. Weather: Sunny with light Westerly winds backing to light Southerlies by the end of the watch. Raptor Observations: To the delight of our vistors we had a very early showing of Golden Eagles! The three birds counted today are a record number for September and on only three occasions in the past 32 years has a Golden been recorded earlier. Given the unfavourable winds it was not a bad day otherwise with a fair showing of Sharpies, Kestrels and Harriers. Non-raptor Observations: Seven warbler species were present. A good migration of Goldfinches and a steady flow of small numbers of Blue Jays dominated. Other birds of note were American Pipit, Lincoln's Sparrow, Cliff Swallows, Roughwinged Swallows, 11 Hummers and a Nighthawk. Flycatcher and Flicker numbers in the park are increasing. Predictions: Partly sunny in the morning with the chance of showers near noon and a good chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Winds are forcast to be light out of the Southeast becomng moderate as the day progresses. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Claude Radley ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Holiday Beach Migration Observatory information may be found at: http://hbmo.org/ Site Description: Holiday Beach Conservation Area was formerly a Provincial Park, but is now administered by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). It is strategically located at the extreme southwestern tip of southern Ontario. The park is on the eastern end of a large freshwater estuary known as Big Creek. (Specifically the site is 1.1 miles south of the junction Highway 20 (old 18) and Essex Road 50, Town of Amherstburg). The Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO) (founded in 1986) is a non-profit, volunteer organization formed to promote the study and protection of migrating birds. Activities focus primarily on fall migration of raptors and other species. This site is in Essex County, Ontario, on the north shore of Lake Erie near the Detroit River. In 1988, HBMO persuaded Detroit Edison to donate a 40 foot Hawk Tower which is now at the site. Southwestern Ontario has a funneling effect on migrating raptors due to the geography of the nearby lakes and the reluctance of most raptors to cross large bodies of water. Birds gain altitude over the flat farmland to the north and east, rising easily with the thermals that such areas provide in abundance. As the birds head south they meet Lake Erie and, reluctant to cross it , turn west. With appropriate wind and weather conditions, birds pile up along the lake shore and move west until they reach the narrow crossing at the Detroit River (or island hop within the river mouth). Directions to site: Entering Canada from Detroit at the Ambassador Bridge: After Canadian Customs, stay left 50 yards, passing over the railroad tracks. You are now on Huron Church Road leading to Highway 401 and Highway 3. Continue east 3.8 miles to the intersection with Todd and Cabana roads. Go through the intersection, staying to the right. In less than 100 yards the main road splits; 401 and 3 continue to the left as the main road and Huron Church narrows and angles to the right. Follow Huron Church right for 0.5 miles to Disputed Road. After anglign a right turn onto Disputed Road, travel south. At 4 miles Disputed Road intersects with Townline Road, and the name changes to Concession 5. Continue south 5 miles and Concession 5 "T"'s with South Townline Road. Turn left and travel east 0.2 miles, turning right (south) onto Concession 6. Continue south for 3.4 miles to the intersection with Highway 20 at Malden Centre in the town of Amherstburg. There is a restaurant/convenience/gas store on the southeast corner of the intersection. Go through the intersection south onto Route 50 for 1.3 miles. The entrance to the Holiday Beach Conservation Area is on the right. Pay entry fee and continue to the Hawk Tower at the south end of the park. Park vehicle and walk to the tower. West bound on Routes 401 and 3 Howard Avenue, Route 9, intersects Routes 401 and 3 east of Windsor. Take Howard Avenue south to Highway 20 ("T"'s) and turn left (west) traveling to Malden Centre in the town of Amherstburg. A restaurant/convenience/gas store is on the left. Turn left (south) on to Route 50 for 1.3 miles; the entrance to HBCA is on the right.
