Holiday Beach Hawk Watch Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 16, 2021 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 1832 9545 14422 Osprey 1 8 25 Bald Eagle 9 15 97 Northern Harrier 6 98 301 Sharp-shinned Hawk 583 1865 5213 Cooper's Hawk 8 61 143 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 10 13 Broad-winged Hawk 0 13 5254 Red-tailed Hawk 23 76 211 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 213 421 1046 Merlin 2 14 104 Peregrine Falcon 2 24 75 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 2679 12150 26904 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Hugh Kent Observers: Liz Kent, Olga Klekner Visitors: We thank all today's observers for their efforts and those interested in the ongoing Hawk Count. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, access to the top level of Hawk Tower is limited to hawk counters and qualified observers only. The 2nd and lower levels are open to the public practising COVID-19 safe precautions (social distancing). Thank you for your understanding and involvement. Weather: The wind remained from the west with a slight northern aspect throughout the day, starting light to becoming moderate with some periods strong. Cloud cover varied sometimes clear to overcast late afternoon. The temperature started at 11c, reaching a high of 15c significantly lower than the previous few days. Visibility was good throughout the day. Raptor Observations: Migration recommenced today, with 1832 Turkey Vultures passing the Tower. Good numbers of Sharp-shinned Hawks (583) and American Kestrels (213) were also observed. Only 23 Red-tailed Hawks represented all the buteos, and all other species were below 10. However a significant number of Bald Eagles (9) passed by at higher level. Raptors were observed over a wide area, with a good number passing close to the tower. Sharp-shinned Hawks were often seen at low level, even below the Tower, taking the opportunity to hunt on their way through. Non-raptor Observations: Good numbers of Ducks were observed on the Marsh, with Ring Necked Duck numbers (250) beginning to increase. Blue Jay numbers were reduced at 4,870. Tree Swallows (53) were seen but only flying through, not feeding on the marsh. Blackbird numbers were average, but many passed to the north making species identification difficult. Songbirds were few in number, with the exception of Yellow-rumped Warblers (17). The list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S96249235 Predictions: Hopefully tomorrow will be similar to today, or dare I say it even slightly better as the wind is forecast to remain from the North-west with a brighter day. Now the temperature is reducing, this may encourage more raptors to migrate. We hope for more and varied Buteos. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Hugh Kent (Hughnkent@gmail.com) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/ More site information at hawkcount.org: https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=100 Count data submitted via Dunkadoo - Project info at: https://dunkadoo.org/explore/hbmo/hbmo-hawk-watch-fall-2021