Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Hugh Kent
Observers: Alessandra Kite, Andrew Wiebe, Jeremy Hatt, Kara Wiebe, Kiah Jasper, Kory Renaud, Liz Kent, Mike Jaber, Noel Herdman, Paul Gosselin
Visitors: A huge thank you to Kiah (official Counter) and Alessandra for the awesome job you have done this season and the contribution you have both made to HBMO. They came to the tower for a couple of hours to say goodbye and to spot our 199th species of the season - Cave Swallow! Big thanks also to our observers of the day - Noel, Mike, Paul, Jeremy H, Kory, Liz, Andrew and Kara. Our volunteer observers also make up a vital part of the Hawk Watch.
Weather: Moderate wind from the north until midday, then became light from the south west. Overcast all day with the temperature around 10c. Visibility moderate but hazy initially. Pressure increased 4 points throughout the day.
Raptor Observations: Another quiet day on the raptor front with a total of seventeen seen. Red-tailed Hawks (5) just gained the top spot from Northern Harriers (4) and Turkey Vultures (4). Bald Eagle (2), a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Cooper's Hawk completed the tally.
Non-raptor Observations: The sighting of the day was two Cave Swallows hawking over the trees to the north east. American Goldfinch (752) flew past in good numbers and there was a good variety of other songbirds overhead, although in lower numbers including Horned Lark (19), Eastern Bluebird (6), Cedar Waxwing (26) American Pipit (14) and Pine Siskin (5). There were good numbers of sparrows around the Tower with six species seen including four Fox Sparrows. Duck numbers are starting to reduce with Mallard (1165) overtaking Gadwall (653). Ring-necked Duck (1592), though are maintaining their numbers The list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S202720982
Predictions: The forecast tomorrow is for moderate south west winds under an overcast sky with similar temperatures. We are unlikely to see many more raptors than today, but hopefully nature can always surprise. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Hugh Kent (<Hughnkent...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
