Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Kiah Jasper
Observers: Paul Gosselin
Visitors: Thanks to Paul for coming out to help with the count despite the weather, and for hanging in there all the way until 13:00 just in case birds were flying.
Weather: Overnight a large rainstorm passed over southern Ontario, continuing on through the morning when I arrived. For the first hour of the count the rain was too heavy to see much of anything, with very limited visibility. The rain got gradually lighter after that, ending completely by 10:30. After that a thick fog hung in the air, only getting thicker as the day went on. The temperature went from 9 C to 13 C, and the wind remained out of the South all day ( max 25kph). The pressure dropped from 29.95 to 29.92.
Raptor Observations: Only two birds were observed today, a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Northern Harrier. Those came in a brief period when conditions began improving before 11:00, but that didn't last long. We ended the count for the day at 13:00, because the fog was getting even thicker and there wasn't anything flying.
Non-raptor Observations: It was very sparse on the non raptor front today as well, with no morning passerine flight due to the rain. Seeing out into the marsh was also hard with the visibility, so we recorded much lower than normal waterfowl numbers. There were lots of sparrows feeding around the base of the tower though, highlighted by a single Fox Sparrow. Other highlights included a flock of Rusty Blackbirds and a singing Winter Wren. Only 39 species were recorded from the tower today. (37 not including the hawks). For the eBird list click here - https://ebird.org/checklist/S202073141
Predictions: Tomorrow is meant to be mainly cloudy with a chance of sun in the afternoon, strong wind from the West/Southwest and cool temperatures (high of 12 C). We don't expect a large flight, but there's no rain in the way so birds should still be moving. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kiah Jasper (<kiahbirder...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
