Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Hugh Kent, Mike Jaber
Observers: Daniel Lee, Hugh Kent, Liz Kent, Mike Jaber, Paul Gosselin, Peter Veighey
Visitors: It was good to have lots of observers keeping me company on the Tower today. Thanks to Liz, Paul, Peter, Mike and Dan. It was good to see Robin and Sheila from Harrow who showed an interest in the Hawk Watch and birds on the marsh.
Weather: The wind was strong, with gusts mainly from the west north west for most of the day. The temperature remained around 7c all day, under overcast skies. The visibility was fair all day but improved in the latter part of the afternoon, the cloud base seemed to lift slightly. The pressure was generally constant all day.
Raptor Observations: Red-tailed Hawks (18) again led the pack, mostly flying low and to the north, sometimes perching at the latter end of the day. A few Red-shouldered Hawks (5) were interspersed with the red tails. Sharp-shinned Hawks (4) and Coopers Hawks (3) had no particular flight line and one 'grey ghost' Northern Harrier flew north of the marsh and another visited Harrier Island.
Non-raptor Observations: An active day today with a good flight of Tundra Swans (232), Common Loon and Horned Grebe on the Lake, and Sandhill Cranes frequently appearing to the north. A couple of flocks of American White Pelican (60) visited the marsh briefly, and duck numbers are as healthy as ever with Ring-necked Duck (1322), Gadwall (1490) and Mallard (1800) numbers maintained and fourteen species seen. American Goldfinches (823) had another good day, five species of Sparrow were foraging around the tower. Rusty Blackbirds (182) are still flying west past the tower. It was good to see a flyover of a Snow Bunting late afternoon. The list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S203411333
Predictions: A moderate wind is forecast from the west south west and then shifting to the south west in the afternoon. Temperature will be pretty much the same as today and the sky will be overcast. Without the northern component to the wind, raptor numbers may reduce. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Hugh Kent (<Hughnkent...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
