Observation start time: 07:15:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours
Official Counter: Kiah Jasper
Observers: Chuck Sharbaugh, Mike Jaber, Noel Herdman
Visitors: Thanks to Noel and Mike for helping out with the count this morning. Chuck from Michigan and Luc from Connecticut came by to join the hawkwatch for a few hours today too. I found myself alone on the tower for the last two hours of the count today, not something that happens too often here.
Weather: It was a brisk morning on the tower, with a start temperature of -1C and a slight North component to the wind adding a windchill factor to that. The temperature increased to 6C later in the day, which combined with the sun made it feel a bit toasty on the top platform. The wind started off from the West-Northwest in the morning, then gradually changed to Northwest with a maximum speed of around 20kph. The winds across the larger region were mainly from the West though, which likely hurt our numbers a bit. The sky remained clear blue almost all day, with small patches of fluffy cumulus clouds later in the morning (though not really overhead, which meant more challenging spotting). The barometer held steady at 30.03.
Raptor Observations: It was a solid day for this time in the month for raptors with 169 observed. Nothing crazy, but enough movement to keep us engaged. Red-tailed Hawks (79) led the charge today, followed by Sharp-shinned Hawks (34). The sharpie numbers are quite decent for this late in the season. Small numbers of Cooper's Hawks (9) and Red-shouldered Hawks (12) added some diversity to the flight. A single Golden Eagle was seen just after 11am, circling far to the North.
Non-raptor Observations: It was a very productive day for late season songbird movement today, keeping us busy for the first few hours of the count. American Goldfinches (4,435) had another fantastic day, continuing the trend of a record breaking November for them. Other highlights included Purple Finch (37), Cedar Waxwing (802), Horned Lark (238), American Pipit (42) and Redpoll (1). The Redpoll was the first one recorded at HBMO this season. Lake Erie was relatively quiet today, besides massive number of aythya (most likely scaup) streaming out of the Detriot River area in the morning. On the marsh waterfowl numbers were quite reduced today... Only 5 Mute Swans were seen! Large Numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls flew around the marsh feeding all day, and Great Egrets (2) and Tree Swallows (2) continue to linger. 71 species were observed from the tower today. For the full list click this eBird link - https://ebird.org/checklist/S284975549
Predictions: Tomorrow doesn't look too promsing, the forecast shows a cool, overcast day with a chance of rain and snow all day. It will likely be a shorter count tomorrow, with low chances of raptors. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Kiah Jasper (<kiahbirder...>) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
