Holiday Beach Conservation Area
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 20, 2015
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Turkey Vulture 684 37952 39407
Osprey 0 11 78
Bald Eagle 0 47 151
Northern Harrier 4 221 543
Sharp-shinned Hawk 43 2868 7712
Cooper's Hawk 3 97 151
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 77 80
Broad-winged Hawk 0 152 16636
Red-tailed Hawk 1 228 331
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 2 2
American Kestrel 1 408 1502
Merlin 1 19 56
Peregrine Falcon 0 20 38
Unknown Accipiter 1 5 12
Unknown Buteo 0 10 36
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 2
Unknown Raptor 0 7 19
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1
Total: 738 42125 66758
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Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Jenna McDermott
Observers: Adele Leroux, Bob Hall-Brooks, Guy Leroux,
Michael Williamson
Visitors:
Marcel and Neil visited in the afternoon, along with a local woman.
Weather:
Winds came from the SW and S, generally being stronger in the morning
(though blocked from the tower by the trees on the lakeshore), and dying
down until it was almost calm in the afternoon. Temperatures rose from 13C
to 19C, making it a perfect, sunny autumn day.
Raptor Observations:
Turkey Vultures and Sharpies started out in a promising way this morning,
but Sharp-shin numbers diminished drastically as the day wore on, and
Turkey Vultures took their leisurely time floating past the shore of Lake
Erie. 4 Northern Harriers took their normal route out low over the marsh
and one Red-tailed Hawk was the only buteo for the day. It, at least, was
very obliging and flew straight overhead. Our bird of the day was a Merlin
that circled and dove at our plastic owl four times before perching in a
tree close by for a moment.
Non-raptor Observations:
Cormorant numbers seem to be dropping now for the season, with only 17
being seen in the marsh. 10 Killdeer were seen flying in the area, and a
large group of 37 American Robins flew to the east. Blue Jays and American
Crows were present but in lower numbers, and Red-winged Blackbirds, Pine
Siskins and American Goldfinches also continued their migration. A large
flock of approximately 170 Tree Swallows flew together, low over the marsh,
to the west, and never returned. Waterfowl continues to be full of variety,
and is always fun to observe. See today's eBird list.
Predictions:
South winds continue tomorrow with a chance of showers in the middle of the
day. Turkey Vultures will likely be the most prevalent species again
tomorrow, much like today.
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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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