Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Hugh Kent
Observers: Liz Kent, Mike Jaber, Paul Gosselin
Visitors: Thanks to Liz, Paul and Mike for keeping me company and observing today. It was good to see Noel and Juliette with friends Chris and Rob and to meet Bob From Brampton who took an interest in the birds on the marsh.
Weather: Another overcast day with a strong wind initially from the west south west changing to south west and reducing slightly. Temperature was around 5c all day but felt colder in the wind. Haze reduced visibility to about 12km. Pressure reduced 6 points over the day.
Raptor Observations: A very quiet day with only eight raptors seen. Red-tailed Hawks (5) were on a northern flightline with some perching before moving on. Two Sharp-shinned Hawks passed low close to the Tower and a Northern Harrier visited Harrier Island.
Non-raptor Observations: Pretty similar list to yesterday, but American Goldfinch (231) reduced by about 75%. More Rusty Blackbirds (439) were seen today. There was a noticeable movement in the morning of Ring-billed Gull (386) and American Herring Gull (73) west along the shore. Good Tundra Swan (184) activity and American White Pelican (81) visited the marsh for a spot of fishing. Duck numbers are slightly reducing, probably due to the cold weather with the most marked reduction in American Coot (36). However there was an increase in Bufflehead (27), always a pleasure to watch. Diversity remains good with thirteen duck species seen. Lots of Sparrow activity around the Tower again, with a couple of Fox Sparrow appearing for the first time in a few days. The list is at https://ebird.org/checklist/S203528254.
Predictions: Due to the likelihood of rain, there will no count tomorrow, but normal service will resume on Tuesday. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Hugh Kent (<Hughnkent...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
