Observation start time: 07:15:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours
Official Counter: Kiah Jasper
Observers: Daniel Lee, Juliette Herdman, Michelle Mastellotto, Mike Jaber, Noel Herdman, Robin Smallwood
Visitors: Thanks to Daniel, Mike, Noel, Juliette, Robin and Michelle for coming by to help with the count today. We were visited by Paula and also Bryce from Tecumseh (a new & keen visitor to our station!).
Weather: It was one of those warm mid November days that are beloved by people wishing to spend time outdoors before the season begins to change. The temperature started out at 4C but quickly increased as the morning went on, ending up at a balmy 14C in the afternoon. The sky started off mainly overcast with clouds moving off of Lake Erie, but that didn't last long and the blue sky returned by 9:00. The sky remained clear only a hint of cloud cover for the majority of the day, cirrus clouds beginning to move in only during the last hour of the count. The wind was very light today from the South (under 10kph), shifting SE and E breifly before moving back to the South. Ideal conditions to be outside? Yes. Ideal conditions for hawkwatching? Not really, though the brief wind shift did help things a bit. The barometer fell several points today, the start of a major pressure drop that will take place over the next 24 hours.
Raptor Observations: For a mid-November day with South winds, it ended up being a decent day for on the tower. The flightline was far inland to the North and was almost lost in the heat shimmer, making it an eyes-to-the-scope kind of afternoon. 190 individuals were recorded, with Turkey Vulture (80) and Red-tailed Hawk (66) being the most abundant. There was a good flight of Sharp-shinned Hawks for the date, with 28 recorded. 2 Merlin and a lone subadult Golden Eagle were the highlights today.
Non-raptor Observations: 80 species were recorded from the tower today! This November has been fantastic for species diversity, with 110 species seen at the tower since November 1st, and four days with over 80 species. The morning songbird flight was active again today, though slightly reduced compared to yesterday. Species observed migrating in good numbers included; American Goldfinch (1,635), Purple Finch (43), Horned Lark (834), American Pipit (43), Lapland Longspur (8) and Cedar Waxwing (315). On Lake Erie waterfowl were moving a bit closer to shore than they normally do here, mostly scaup (Greater and Lesser), Canvasback and Red-breasted Merganser. A lone Long-tailed Duck seen flying East represents only the 3rd eBird record for HBMO. 2 Horned Grebes and 1 Common Loon were also seen today. On the marsh 8 Great Egrets and 4 Tree Swallows continue to linger into the month. Duck numbers remain fairly consistent, though today there was a slight increase of Green-winged Teal (840) and Ring-necked Duck (710). Large numbers of Rusty Blackbirds continue to linger around the tower. For the full eBird list of species seen, click here - https://ebird.org/checklist/S284455618
Predictions: Tomorrow will be another warm day on the tower, though the wind is meant to be stronger from the Southwest and the sky mainly overcast. Combined with the low pressure this is not a good combination for hawkwatching here, so numbers will likely be reduced.
Sunday looks more promising at the moment. Moderate Northwest winds and cooler temperatures. The sky is forecasteed to be mainly overcast at the moment, but it could still be a quite productive day on the tower! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kiah Jasper (<kiahbirder...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
