Holiday Beach Conservation Area
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 22, 2015
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Turkey Vulture 24 199 199
Osprey 1 59 59
Bald Eagle 6 78 78
Northern Harrier 12 235 235
Sharp-shinned Hawk 333 3242 3242
Cooper's Hawk 2 38 38
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 1847 15730 15730
Red-tailed Hawk 6 65 65
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 13 750 750
Merlin 0 24 24
Peregrine Falcon 1 7 7
Unknown Accipiter 1 4 4
Unknown Buteo 2 5 5
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Raptor 0 6 6
Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1
Total: 2248 20444 20444
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Observation start time: 06:15:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9.75 hours
Official Counter: Jenna McDermott
Observers: Bob Hall-Brooks, Bob Pettit, Jim McCoy, Kory Renaud,
Patrick Tomlinson, Steve Wagner
Visitors:
Tim and Kevin, a couple of our usual helpers, came to the tower, as well as
Paul and Natalie, a couple of knowledgeable folks from the States. We also
had a few new visitors, eager to learn about raptors. Thanks to our
visitors and observers for the extra spotting eyes!
Weather:
The day started out cool (13.9C) with quite a layer of fog, only allowing
visibility of halfway across the marsh. The fog burned off after around an
hour when the sun peeked through and temperatures started to rise until it
was quite warm. Cloud cover was slim, so we gladly welcomed the few that
came and went during the day, and happily spent slower hours figuring out
what shapes they were. Wind direction changed from N to SW and S in the
afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
We had another great morning of Sharpies flying low around the tower, in
near-constant flurries. Broadwings started appearing mid-morning in kettles
of up to 300. As the day progressed and they got higher in the sky, they
would appear out of nowhere in one of our clouds and we would have to count
them quickly before they vanished out of the cloud again. At times, Turkey
Vultures, Northern Harriers and Bald Eagles showed us the way to a group of
Broadwings. Cooper's Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels also
mixed themselves amongst the cloud and blue sky, creating a great treasure
hunt for everyone scanning the skies. One Peregrine was seen briefly as it
dove straight for an accipiter, which promptly also dove for the cover of
the trees. To top off the day, we had a Merlin fly slowly by towards the
east, never to be seen again.
Non-raptor Observations:
There were plenty of "gull-darned gulls" flying high and low and within the
broadwings, causing much distraction. There was a slight increase in the
Blue Jay migration again, with 7540 crossing the marsh. Cedar Waxwings are
still going through in small groups, and Red-winged Blackbirds and American
Goldfinches are beginning to flock a little as well. 7 Chimney Swifts and 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds came past the tower, and 7 species of warbler
were seen by various visitors and observers in the bushes at the base of
the tower. Dragonflies were 22 Black Saddlebags and 1 Common Green Darner.
It's nice to see Monarchs still flying through in good numbers (82). See
today's eBird list
http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/view/checklist?subID=S25136887
Predictions:
Winds from the NE in the morning, changing to E in the afternoon with
temperatures up to 23C and very little cloud cover.
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Report submitted by Jenna McDermott ([email protected])
Holiday Beach Conservation Area information may be found at:
http://hbmo.ca/
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