Holiday Beach Conservation Area Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 30, 2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 0 1883 33703 Osprey 0 2 204 Bald Eagle 2 20 201 Northern Harrier 0 136 947 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 114 13073 Cooper's Hawk 0 195 1063 Northern Goshawk 0 11 15 Red-shouldered Hawk 3 383 539 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 43431 Red-tailed Hawk 13 2460 3405 Rough-legged Hawk 0 16 28 Golden Eagle 1 79 119 American Kestrel 0 15 4874 Merlin 0 8 137 Peregrine Falcon 0 7 81 Unknown Accipiter 1 16 66 Unknown Buteo 1 25 54 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 6 Unknown Raptor 0 0 14 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 3 Black Vulture 0 1 1 Total: 21 5371 101964 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Bob Pettit Observers: Jim McCoy Visitors: None Weather: Cold and windy. 1.4-4.3C; 8-18 mph, 12-28 kph. Clouds 75% begin to 10% end. Wind from NW moving WNW and ending West. Raptor Observations: Very disappointing movement. One would think with clearing NW wind birds would move. Reports are that Red-tails are hanging out north of Toronto and elsewhere just 'waiting'. Get it together! Our season is officially over but many will be keeping eyes to December skys and keeping score. I estimate 2,000-3,000 more Red-tails and 30 Golden Eagles (need the adults) could pass in December. Non-raptor Observations: Very few songbirds. All night and day rain and snow sent them packing. Red-winged Blackbird-1, Am. Goldfinch-4, Kingfisher-1, Mute Swan-6, Sandhill Crane (flyover)-13, Bonaparte's Gull-8, Ring-billed Gull-6, Sparrow species, Cardinal-1. At one time a single motorboat crossed the marsh and flushed up 2,000-3,000 ducks. Mostly puddle ducks: Mallards-35%, 65% others unknown. Predictions: Our season is over but many will venture out in December on north wind days. Gate open M, W, F, Sat. Friday looks like a good bet. Thanks to counters and volunteer counters. There were many good days and some surprises. I can't wait to do it over again. Wicked Awesome Adventures! Cheers, Bob ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bob Pettit (redknot@earthlink.net) Holiday Beach Migration Observatory information may be found at: http://hbmo.org/