Holiday Beach Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 27, 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 54 250 250 Osprey 4 81 81 Bald Eagle 1 39 39 Northern Harrier 10 364 364 Sharp-shinned Hawk 161 3403 3403 Cooper's Hawk 9 137 137 Northern Goshawk 0 2 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 4873 4873 Red-tailed Hawk 2 126 126 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 4 4 American Kestrel 42 1400 1400 Merlin 12 62 62 Peregrine Falcon 7 53 53 Unknown 5 5 Swainson's Hawk 0 2 2 Total: 302 10801 10801 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Claude Radley Observers: Visitors: We had guests from Minnisota, Ontario and Michigan today as well as an enthusiastic group of sixth graders. Weather: The morning began mainly sunny with brisk south winds and a band of thudershowers to the distant west. It became mostly cloudy as the morning progressed with rain showers beginning at 11:45. Raptor Observations: A fairly good flow of falcons and sharpies with most birds very low over the marsh. One of the adult Peregrines came in low over the tower giving us a very good view. The local pair of adult Bald Eagles put on an arial display escorting a migrant out of the territory. Non-raptor Observations: More than 11,000 Blue Jays braved the winds early with about 1000 returning East as the convective activity moved in from the west. Predictions: Showers associated with a cold front will continue into the morning and a following weak trough may bring some light rain in the afternoon. Temps will be considerably cooler, with highs in the low teens and moderate winds will generally be out of the North. ======================================================================== 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.
