Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Kiah Jasper
Observers: Alessandra Kite, Linda Goodhue, Noel Herdman, Paul Gosselin
Visitors: Thanks to Noel, Paul, Erik, Alessandra and Linda for assisting with the count today. We were visited by Gord, Stephen and Mario from Sarnia, Barb from Blenheim, Santiago and Carla from Windsor, Ralph from McGregor, Daniela and Nick from Windsor, Nick from Greece, Nicole from Hamilton and Craig from Indiana.
Weather: No fog in the area this morning, which was a nice change from yesterday. The temperatures were downright August like today, starting off at 10 Degrees C and rising all the way to 23 in the afternoon. The wind remained out of the South/Southwest for the entire day, gusting to 15kph but mainly lighter. The sky was clear all day, though once again there was a strong haze in the air. The Barometer fell to 30.11.
Raptor Observations: It was a very quiet day on the tower for raptors, with only 364 recorded. This is one of the only times we've recorded below 1000 birds in a day in the last 2 weeks. The Turkey Vultures acted rather lazily today, flying West and then circling back East soon after. Several Peregrine Falcons and Merlins were highlights, along with a late adult Broad-winged Hawk. The flight line shifted far inland after 11:00 and almost dried up completely by the early afternoon, so we called it quits early at 15:30.
Non-raptor Observations: It was slow on the non raptor front as well, with only 73 species recorded from the tower (the lowest total this month for me, with the one exception of a rain day. Average species counts range from 78-85). American White Pelicans were once again out in massive numbers, the most we've seen this season in fact with 690 observed on the marsh. Our first Canvasback of the season were observed flying over as well, a bird that should get much more common as the fall goes on. Other highlights included; 752 American Goldfinch, 3 Eastern Bluebird, 1 Blackpoll Warbler, 1 Red-headed Woodpecker and 1 Common Gallinule. To view the full eBird list click here -https://ebird.org/checklist/S199678389
Predictions: Looking ahead it seems like more of the same for the next several days... Hot temperatures, clear skies and wind with a mainly southerly component. I don't expect to see any large raptor flights, but totals similar to yesterdays are possible ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kiah Jasper (<kiahbirder...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
