Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Kiah Jasper
Observers: Daniel Lee, Michael St. Pierre, Mike Jaber
Visitors: Thanks to Mike J, Mike St.P and Daniel for stopping by to help with the count today.
Weather: Yesterday evening a cold front passed through from the Northwest, which was followed by an easing of the raging westerly winds. This morning was much more pleasant on the tower, with the wind only occasionally gusting to 30kph. The sun was out this morning as well, another improvement over yesterday. What was not an improvement though were the winds, which started from the West and then shifted to Southwest and finally due South. In the afternoon light cloud cover moved off the lake, making for a perfect raptor spotting sky (minus the raptors today). The barometer fell slighly during the day, ending at 30.22.
Raptor Observations: In a bizarre twist, Northern Harrier was the most abundant raptor of the day today. Normally this is only the case on days with fowl weather. Harriers ended at the mighty count of 12, including 3 nice grey ghosts. It was slim pickings other than that, 4 Sharpies, 2 cooper's and 2 Red-tailed Hawks. Not even a single Turkey Vulture was observed today, which may be a first for me during a sunny and warm day here.
Non-raptor Observations: Luckily there were other birds migrating today, another improvement over yesterday. American Goldfinches stole the show all morning, with between 900 and 1,300 recorded every hour from 7am-11am. We ended with a count of 4,848, an all-time high count for HBMO and also Essex County! Surprisingly other finch numbers were comparatively low, only 36 Pine Siskins and 61 Purple Finches. Cedar Waxwings were also observed in large numbers this morning at 1,542. 1,660 Green-winged Teal were counted on the marsh, which is yet another all-time high count for Essex County. Other interesting migrants observed today included 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (late), 1 Blue-headed Vireo (late), 1 Lapland Longspur (first of season), 1 Eastern Meadowlark (3rd record for 2025) and 323 Horned Larks. Out in the marsh 171 American White Pelicans were observed, as well as 320 Tree Swallows and the lingering Common Gallinule. The highlight bird of the day came around 1:30, when a dark ibis was spotted flying along the treeline at the back of the marsh! It landed for close to half an hour, then took off and flew East. Unfortunately due to the distance involved it could not be identified to species (It was Glossy or White Faced). Interestingly enough, HBMO has a record of Glossy Ibis on this exact date in 2013. Both species are quite rare in Ontario, so this was an exciting observation. 70 species were observed from the tower today. For the eBird list click here -https://ebird.org/checklist/S282916092
Predictions: Tomorrow the wind is meant to start from the Southwest, then slowly gain speed and switch to the West by the afternoon. There is also a chance of rain later in the day. Hopes are not high for a productive day, but maybe that ibis will come back for a closer view : ) ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kiah Jasper (<kiahbirder...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
