Holiday Beach Hawk Watch Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 08, 2021 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 607 2755 7632 Osprey 0 6 23 Bald Eagle 2 6 88 Northern Harrier 3 67 270 Sharp-shinned Hawk 45 745 4093 Cooper's Hawk 3 35 117 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 10 13 Broad-winged Hawk 0 11 5252 Red-tailed Hawk 2 26 161 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 5 90 715 Merlin 0 5 95 Peregrine Falcon 3 9 60 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: 671 3765 18519 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Stasso, Jacob Observers: Hugh Kent, 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: Fluctuating day with alternating periods of rain, overcast, and partly sunny skies. For the majority of the day the ceiling was low, making raptor observation difficult until weather cleared. Winds started north-easterly in the morning but quickly shifted to easterly and then southeasterly by the afternoon, also likely hampering raptor movements. Temperature was stable at low 20's C. Raptor Observations: Rainy conditions started the day off slow with only a few Sharpies and Harriers. However, as rain cleated, Turkey Vultures became abundant (607) and several buteos made appearances (Red-shouldered and Red tail). Raptor movement died down as rain returned. Another slow day for falcons except for 3 Peregrine sightings. Non-raptor Observations: Marsh diversity remains at stable levels, with a larger amount of Herons and Egrets seen today. Blue Jay migration continues, although at lower levels (10,000). Blackbird and Starling movement was also seen. An excellent surprise was a Hudsonian Godwit flyover across the marsh during the early afternoon. Monarch levels low at 4. https://ebird.org/checklist/S95780722 Predictions: Tomorrow is expected to be partly cloudy with clear conditions and winds starting south-westerly with the possibility of shifting to southerly. Lack of rainy conditions may allow larger buteo and raptor numbers but south-westerly wind does not help. Progressing season seems to be promoting thermal-using raptors near tower even without northerly wind. ======================================================================== 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