Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Hugh Kent, Michael Arthurs
Observers: Daniel Lee, Liz Kent, Michael Arthurs, Mike Jaber, Peter Veighey
Visitors: Big thanks to Michael for taking over as Official Counter at mid day. It was also great to have help from Dan, Mike, Peter and Liz in observing and counting. It was good to meet Steve and Lisa from St Thomas who showed a great interest in the Hawk Watch. They have also attended the Hawk Cliff Hawk Watch.
Weather: A light wind today, starting in the southwest, switching to northwest briefly early morning then remaining generally southwest to south for the rest of the day. Scattered clouds initially, becoming overcast at the end of the day. Started with fog and low visibility (3km), becoming hazy and remaining reduced (8km) all day. Temperature starting at 7c rose to a comfortable 16c early afternoon, then slowly chilled. Pressure slowly fell by 4 points.
Raptor Observations: Sighting of the day was a mid morning American Goshawk, obligingly sitting in the trees by the shore to the west, then flying off west after being mobbed by a Cooper's Hawk. A very fast Merlin by the shore an hour later was also good to see. Otherwise another quiet day with Red-tailed Hawk (3) and Northern Harrier (3) jointly leading albeit a small pack of Turkey Vulture (2), Sharp-shinned Hawk (2) and a Cooper's Hawk.
Non-raptor Observations: A good list today with the highlights of an overflight of a White-winged Crossbill and a late Short-eared Owl hunting over the marsh. Activity around the Tower was good with seven species of sparrow and over the tower with decent flights of American Goldfinch (164), Horned Lark (78), American Pipit (29) and Eastern Bluebird (26). Duck numbers were a bit lower today, but with reduced visibility, some may have been missed. Diversity was good with eleven species seen. The list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S202960368
Predictions: The forecast is for rain in the morning tomorrow, clearing after midday. This will be accompanied by a moderate wind generally from the south. We will take a view tomorrow morning, but most likely start the count when it clears. Probably another quiet day, given the rain. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Hugh Kent (<Hughnkent...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
