Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Hugh Kent
Observers: Juliette Herdman, Liz Kent, Mike Jaber, Noel Herdman
Visitors: Thanks to Liz, Mike, Juliette and Noel helping out observing and counting today. There were only a few visitors to the tower.
Weather: There was a moderate, sometimes light wind from the west south west all day. Starting overcast the sky cleared gradually to about 20% cloud cover. The temperature was again mild reaching 20c at the end of the afternoon. The visibility was a bit hazy at times, but mostly good. The pressure rose 5 points throughout the day.
Raptor Observations: A bit better day with Turkey Vultures (64) mostly in two kettles to the north east in the hour after midday. Red-tailed Hawks (44) flew mostly in the same hour as the Vultures, with Sharp-shinned Hawks (19) flying during the middle part of the day, some right over the Tower. Red-shouldered Hawks (12) accompanied the Red-tailed Hawks. A nice sight was two Northern Harriers dualling over Harrier Island to the north of the Tower.
Non-raptor Observations: There was a good flight of Eastern Bluebirds (178), American Robin (195), American Goldfinch (455) and American Pipit (90) over the Tower until mind afternoon. European Starlings (19,500) again flew past heading west most of the day. Duck numbers continue strong, but with a slight reduction in Ring-necked Duck (898). Northern Pintail (220) numbers are notably high. The list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S201620014
Predictions: A moderate wind from the north west is forecast for tomorrow under clearing skies. The temperature will be a bit lower at around 14c by the end of the day. Hopefully the north wind will produce more raptors tomorrow. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Hugh Kent (<Hughnkent...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
