Holiday Beach Conservation Area Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 01, 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 165 165 50018 Osprey 0 0 82 Bald Eagle 2 2 173 Northern Harrier 13 13 679 Sharp-shinned Hawk 13 13 8107 Cooper's Hawk 1 1 184 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 232 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 16636 Red-tailed Hawk 51 51 844 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 3 3 23 American Kestrel 0 0 1516 Merlin 0 0 58 Peregrine Falcon 1 1 45 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 16 Unknown Buteo 0 0 82 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 2 Unknown Raptor 0 0 23 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Total: 249 249 78723 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:15:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours Official Counter: Cindy Isenhoff Observers: Cramer, Larry Ludwicki, Michael Williamson Visitors: Some of the regulars came out even with the SW winds. Thanks to Mike W & Cramer for helping with the scope duty. We had several small groups of people out today enjoying the weather and taking a nice walk in the park. Weather: After the rain yesterday this morning dawned sunny and clear. Temps started at 11.1C and finished with a warm 16.4C for November 1st. Winds were blustery from the South and West in one combination or another all day, keeping our birds pushed inland from the tower. We saw wind gusts to 30kph this morning, and for most of the day gusting to 20kph. Humidity was still high this morning, but dropped throughout the day. A beautiful day. Raptor Observations: Most of our birds were distant today, often using the scope for positive ID was necessary. Our highlights were a late in the day Imm Peregrine Falcon who came in low over the trout pond, and 3 Golden Eagles moving along the North edge of the marsh. We recorded 8 species today, Turkey Vultures being the most numerous, and only one Falcon, with the late afternoon peregrine. Still no sign of any Rough-legged hawks. Non-raptor Observations: There were many rafts of mixed ducks in the marsh this morning, and they continued to come and go throughout the day. Noted were: Gadwall 86, American Wigeon 97, American Black Duck 18, Mallard 42, Northern Shoveler 39 (some still in beautiful plumage), Ruddy 5, American Coot 93 and Northern Pintail 27. This count was done early in the day. Also in the marsh: 76 Mute Swan, 11 Pied-billed Grebe, 5 Double Crested Cormorant, 2 Great Blue Heron, 2 Great Egret, 1 Belted Kingfisher, and the Osprey that has decided to stay and camp out for a while. Song birds were notably absent from the tower area --probably hunkered deep in the shrubs and grasses due to the strong winds that blasted us all day. Some small flocks were migrating: 15 Blue Jays, 4 Tree Swallows, 45 Cedar Waxwings, 22 Red-winged Blackbirds, 59 American Goldfinch and American Crow at 304. Predictions: Much the same as today, both in winds and temperatures. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Cindy Isenhoff ([email protected]) Holiday Beach Conservation Area information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
