Holiday Beach Conservation Area
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 17, 2015
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Turkey Vulture 4822 28787 30242
Osprey 1 11 78
Bald Eagle 3 42 146
Northern Harrier 13 196 518
Sharp-shinned Hawk 448 2523 7367
Cooper's Hawk 4 90 144
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 68 71
Broad-winged Hawk 0 152 16636
Red-tailed Hawk 17 163 266
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 18 389 1483
Merlin 0 14 51
Peregrine Falcon 1 17 35
Unknown Accipiter 0 2 9
Unknown Buteo 0 7 33
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 2
Unknown Raptor 0 6 18
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1
Total: 5328 32469 57102
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Observation start time: 07:30:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Bob Pettit
Observers: Chip Ogglesby, Dorothy McLeer, Jenna McDermott, Jim McCoy,
Michael Williamson
Visitors:
A number of visitors with several staying to enjoy the migration and to
learn to identify individuals. A good day was had by all.
Weather:
A bitter biting cold wind did little to discourage a big migration nor the
visitor or counters on the tower. The wind was from the west and end the
day (finally) from northwest and was generally 12 km/hr with gusts to 22
km/hr. Temperature ranged 4.0 -7.1C Pressure steady at 30.3mm Hg. Cloud
cover varied in cycles throughout the day being anywhere from 35-95%.
Visibility was very good and there was no measureable precipitation. (There
were whispered reports of snow flakes during mid-day.)
Raptor Observations:
Ten species with Turkey Vultures dominating with nearly 5,000 individuals.
Sharp-shins were second with 448 counted. Harriers, Red-tails, and Kestrels
were about equal at third place. A total of 5,328 tallied.
The vultures were popping up from the northern horizon early and ended by
passing over the tower. These late day vultures were usually in groups of
50 and formed a line of individuals five or so abreast in a zigzag pattern
passing overhead in a rather sluggish fashion. When looking west one could
see the vultures stretching westward to the Detroit River and turning north
moving into Amherstburg and north. They are assumed to be crossing the
river north of the town.
Non-raptor Observations:
Blue Jays 2,250. Waterfowl similar to yesterday. Killdeer, kingfisher, tree
swallow, chickadee, kinglets, and cardinal were in single digits. Siskin,
rusty blackbird, and cowbird were in double digits. Crows about 100+.
Predictions:
Similar to Today. If winds stay northwest anything is possible.
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Report submitted by Bob Pettit ([email protected])
Holiday Beach Conservation Area information may be found at:
http://hbmo.ca/
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