Holiday Beach Conservation Area Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 18, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 23 2744 31882 Osprey 0 0 82 Bald Eagle 2 20 159 Northern Harrier 0 30 451 Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 131 5542 Cooper's Hawk 4 104 623 Northern Goshawk 2 7 7 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 237 514 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 6055 Red-tailed Hawk 23 2080 3490 Rough-legged Hawk 0 5 15 Golden Eagle 2 31 40 American Kestrel 0 4 937 Merlin 0 4 88 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 52 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 9 Unknown Buteo 0 16 22 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 2 Unknown Raptor 0 0 5 Black Vulture 0 0 1 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3 Total: 62 5414 49979 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours Official Counter: Justin Bosler Observers: Claude Radley, Dennis Patrick, Gwen Patrick, Larry Ludwicki Visitors: I was happy to have spotting help from Gwen and Denis Patrick, Larry Ludwicki, and Ralph (Fiennes?) - joking! Claude Radley also stopped by for a bit before attending to other duties. An additional half dozen visitors came up to enjoy the beautiful day from the Tower. Weather: It turned out to be another lovely day once the dense fog burned off mid-morning. There were diminishing clouds throughout the day and steady ESE winds at 5-10 kph. There were some gusts that reached 12-15 kph in the afternoon. The temperature leveled off between 9.5 and 10.5C. Raptor Observations: Up through 11:30 AM it was not looking good for a flight. Shortly thereafter, with a slight tailwind and some solar energy, the raptors began to move. A few small groups of Turkey Vultures passed; one numbering 12 birds and thus reaching "kettle" status. Several other vultures were deemed locals. Two immature Bald Eagles were recorded. There was a steady trickle of Redtails midday. Two Northern Goshawks, a subadult and juvenile, passed in the noon hour. And last, but definitely not least, were 2 Golden Eagles about 25 minutes apart in the 1 o'clock hour. Non-raptor Observations: There were 29 Tundra Swans in two groups that went out over Lake Erie. After being relatively scarce of late, American Crows put in a modest showing today (~320 individuals). American Goldfinches came thru in greater numbers today with 460+ tallied. Common Redpoll numbers were also up. I counted no fewer than 105. A few White-winged Crossbills zipped passed along the shoreline. Again, not many Pine Siskins today. About five in all. A few Snow Buntings and over two dozen Lapland Longspurs were noted. Predictions: Certainly not a promising forecast for tomorrow with overcast skies throughout and South winds at 10-15 kph. Also slightly cooler, with a high of 8C. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Justin Bosler ([email protected]) Holiday Beach Migration Observatory information may be found at: http://hbmo.org/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
