Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours
Official Counter: Hugh Kent, Mike Jaber
Observers: Hugh Kent, Liz Kent, Mike Jaber, Noel Herdman
Visitors: Thanks to Mike, Noel and Liz for keeping me company and helping observe today. Mike was the Official Counter for the first hour.
Weather: The wind was strong from the north west, growing stronger through the day with gusts of over 40kmh. Chilly on the Tower with a maximum of 8c, under overcast skies. Now and again it spotted with rain with one period mid morning lasting half an hour. Visibility was limited with the exception of a couple of hours late morning. Pressure was pretty much constant at about 29.7 (inHg).
Raptor Observations: Better day today with 34 raptors seen. Red-tailed Hawks (12) topped the bill, with a small committee of Turkey Vultures (9) moving west along the trees on the north side of the marsh. Nearly all of the Northern Harriers (5) seen visited Harrier Island. Sharp-Shinned Hawks and Cooper's Hawk were three apiece. A single Merlin shot past and a Red-shouldered Hawk followed the same line as the Turkey Vultures.
Non-raptor Observations: American Goldfinch (798) were very abundant today passing the Tower heading west. Cedar Waxwings (73) perched in the trees before moving on. Another White-winged Crossbill was heard flying over the tower. In late morning a number of flocks of Tundra Swan (188) flew over the marsh with a few settling for a while. Ducks are maintaining their numbers with an increase in Ring-necked Duck (738) over yesterday, with a good number of Canvasback (111) flying north west over the marsh. Duck Diversity was good with twelve Species seen. Great Egret (2) and American White Pelican (2) are still hanging on. The list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S203300347
Predictions: The forecast is similar to today with the wind from the north west initially, then turning west. It will be moderate, not as gusty as today. Overcast skies with a maximum temperature of 8c, but no rain. Hopefully we will continue with similar Raptors numbers as today. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Hugh Kent (<Hughnkent...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
