Holiday Beach Hawk Watch Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 03, 2021 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 542 1731 66902 Osprey 0 0 26 Bald Eagle 8 21 163 Northern Harrier 2 4 511 Sharp-shinned Hawk 8 34 7641 Cooper's Hawk 4 9 248 Northern Goshawk 0 0 5 Red-shouldered Hawk 25 36 442 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 5262 Red-tailed Hawk 95 354 1875 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 1 Golden Eagle 3 8 21 American Kestrel 1 2 1304 Merlin 0 2 119 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 90 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 Black Vulture 0 0 1 Total: 688 2203 84611 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Stasso, Jacob , Stasso, Jacob Observers: Hugh Kent, Jim McCoy, Liz Kent 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: Weather today started with clear skies, eventually shifting to partly cloudy and then fully cloudy skies by days end. The low was 0 degrees C, with a high of 7 C. Winds started off north-westerly, then shifted westerly, and ended at north-westerly once again. Visibility was good with no fog or haze. Raptor Observations: Despite favourable winds, raptors appeared at far off distances or at extremely high altitudes today. Migration is still strong for Turkey Vultures, with 542 seen. Low counts continue for Northern Harrier, Sharpies, and Coopers. Today was a better day for buteos with 95 Red tails and 25 Red Shoulders seen. 3 Golden Eagles made an appearance, immatures at 9:37 and 15:01 as well as an adult at 15:42. One amazing American Kestrel passed by the tower today. Non-raptor Observations: Diverse day for non-raptors with heightened diversity in the marsh from things such as a surprise appearance of a flock of Blue Winged Teal. Finch observations were also diverse, where in addition to the typical American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin and Purple Finch also passed by. Blackbird migration continues with large amounts of Red-winged, Rustys, and Grackles passing by. A very cool sighting was the flight of 4 Cattle Egrets heading North-east, likely to join a continuing flock nearby. https://ebird.org/checklist/S97087146 Predictions: Conditions are expected to be similar tomorrow, with temperatures starting out at 0 C and then rising to 7 C. It is expected to be a little more sunny with clear skies later on in the day. Winds are also expected to alternate between North-westerly and westerly tomorrow. Hopefully the northerly wind component in addition to the added warmth from the sun promotes more buteo movement. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Jacob Stasso (jacobstasso@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