Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Hugh Kent
Observers: Liz Kent
Visitors: Thanks to Liz for helping out all day. The American White Pelicans are again attracting visitors and we were happy to show them to 2 classes of Children visiting the Tower, Greg from Amherstburg, Charlene from Strathroy, Maria from London, Sonia and Steve from Tecumseh, Maggie and Drew from Kelowna, Kim and Tom from Windsor and Kobe from Amherstburg.
Weather: The moderate, sometimes strong wind initially from the south, changed to the west by mid day, but the northerly component forecast failed to materialise. The temperature remained in the high teens all day under an overcast sky. Visibility was somewhat hazy at times, with the pressure rising about 7 points over the day.
Raptor Observations: Very quiet, with even reduced numbers of Turkey Vultures (353), all to the north. The highlights were a nice adult Peregrine Falcon over the marsh and a 'Grey Ghost' male Northern Harrier close to the Tower in the last hour.
Non-raptor Observations: Wondering where all the American White Pelicans were with only 16 present initially, we were soon back to normal with a total of 386 counted. Many ducks again on the marsh with Gadwall (526) leading the way. The old regulars of Common Gallinule and Blackpoll Warbler were again present. There was a chorus of blackbirds all day around the Tower with Red-winged Blackbirds (530), Brown-headed Cowbird (17) Rusty Blackbird (115) and Common Grackle (21) all stopping by at sometime or other. The list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S200032522
Predictions: Hopefully the forecast for tomorrow pans out and we get light winds from the north under sunny skies. It will be a cold 5c initially, rising to about 14c by the end of the day. The north wind should bring more Raptors than today. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Hugh Kent (<Hughnkent...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
