Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Michael Burton-Smith
Observers: Aldo Bertucci, Hugh Kent, Liz Kent, Robin Smallwood
Visitors: Amidst the commotion of the morning kettle I didn't get a chance to note down all the visitors, so to all those who showed up but I've forgotten to list thank you so much for your help counting the birds today! A special thanks to Aldo, Robin, Hugh and Liz who assisted me on the tower today, and to Linda, Steve, David, Anne, Beth, Donald and Cecile who came and spotted with us.
Weather: Northerly winds in morning turning to southerlies in the afternoon as forecast. Clear skies becoming partially cloudy as the day progressed. Temperatures began in the high teens and hovered in the high twenties-early thirties in the afternoon.
Raptor Observations: Relatively quiet except one big kettle around 0945 EST with 41 Broad-winged Hawks. A moderate westward movement of Turkey Vultures (60) and the continued early trickle of Red-tailed Hawks (3) were the main surprises of the day, with both being expected later in the season.
The Common Gallinule appeared again with all seven chicks in tow, showing well through the morning and into the early afternoon. A good diversity of waterfowl is starting to build up with Mallard (350), Green-winged Teal (65), Wood Duck (30), Blue-winged Teal (2) and American Wigeon (1) seen. We continue to get low numbers of warbler but across a broad species diversity, with Common Yellowthroat, Cape May, Magnolia, Bay-breasted, Northern Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green and Wilson's Warbler passing through in ones or twos.
Today was particularly notable for the large insect migration, with nearly three hundred dragonflies and 78 Monarchs counted through the day.
Predictions: Although Saturday's forecast cloud cover will be a relief to the hawk watchers on the tower, the strong southerlies through the day will likely push birds north. With luck we will still get small movements of Sharp-shinned and Broad-winged Hawk, Northern Harrier, and possibly a continuation of the Turkey Vulture migration that seems to have taken place over the last few days. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Michael Burton-Smith () Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
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