Holiday Beach Hawk Watch Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 24, 2021 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 20 225 225 Osprey 0 12 12 Bald Eagle 3 66 66 Northern Harrier 2 107 107 Sharp-shinned Hawk 291 1642 1642 Cooper's Hawk 3 28 28 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 1 2083 2083 Red-tailed Hawk 3 77 77 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 17 351 351 Merlin 3 59 59 Peregrine Falcon 5 28 28 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: 348 4678 4678 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Hugh Kent Observers: Jim McCoy, Liz Kent, Michelle Mastellotto, Noel Herdman Visitors: We thank today's observers for their help 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 day started colder than of late at 13c, but the temperature rose throughout the day to 24c. The day was clear and bright with little cloud cover for most of the time, a moderate wind generally remained from the south-west. Raptor Observations: Today was another day of good Sharp-shinned Hawk numbers (291) arriving at a steady rate throughout most of the day. Buteo numbers were again low with only one Broad-winged Hawk and three Red-tailed Hawks. Only two Northern Harriers passed by, both close to the tower. All the falcons were seen; American Kestrel in low numbers for the species (17), but Merlin (3) and Peregrine (5) were a welcome sight. Three Bald Eagles passed overhead at a higher level and Twenty Turkey Vultures also looked as though they were heading west. Only three Cooper's Hawks were spotted amongst the Sharp-shins. Non-raptor Observations: A relatively quiet day for songbirds, with the exception of American Goldfinches (73). Numbers of waterbirds are decreasing but duck Numbers continue to increase. A large flock of flushed Mallards was seen at the back of the Marsh. The Blue Jay migration continues with 1820 seen today. Good numbers of Tree Swallows continue feeding over the marsh (200). Today's list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S95117857 Predictions: Rain is forecast for tomorrow morning, so it is likely few raptors will be seen. The afternoon is brighter with the wind the same as today from the south-west. Hopefully some Sharp-shinned Hawks and falcons will put in an appearance, but don't hold your breadth for any 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