Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Michael Burton-Smith
Observers: Bob Hall-Brooks, Hugh Kent, Kiah Jasper, Liz Kent, Mike Jaber, Noel Herdman, Paul Gosselin, Robin Smallwood
Visitors: Thanks to Kiah, Noel, Mike, Hugh, Liz, Bob, Robin and Paul for helping conduct today's count and for keeping spirits high in spite of the dreary conditions! It was also lovely to be visited by Fred, John and Nate.
Weather: Very overcast throughout the day with modest westerlies and temperatures hovering in the mid-teens. Dark clouds loomed over the west for most of the afternoon until the heavens finally opened around 1400 EST, cutting the count short.
Raptor Observations: Other than a busy first two hours as the Turkey Vultures woke up and set out across the Detroit River, the day went fairly well to script for the raptors. Northern Harriers and Sharp-shinned Hawks passed through at a fairly steady pace through the morning, with the occasional Turkey Vulture flying over the northern edge of the marsh. A close flyby of an immature Peregrine was the day's raptor highlight.
What a day for mid-October! With 71 species recorded, we were kept busy even when the raptors were slow. Two runaway highlights were a flyover Western Cattle-Egret close to the tower, and an adorable Northern Saw-whet Owl whose cryptic roost was given away by the alarm calls of Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Also of note was a very large passage of American Robin (1593), the highest single day count in HBMO history, and a reasonable movement of Lesser Yellowlegs (50).
On the other hand, some things were notable in their absence. Duck numbers are well down on the past few days, especially Ring-necked Duck and Gadwall. The hedges around the tower are no longer soundtracked by meowing Catbird, mixed warbler flocks no longer pick at dogwood berries, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds no longer battle on the feeder. As George R. R. Martin infamously declared, winter is coming!
Predictions: Clearing skies into the night coupled with northerly winds make for great nocturnal migration conditions, so keep an eye open for new sparrows in the park and new waterfowl on the marsh tomorrow. During the day, moderate northerly winds and clear skies overheard create plenty of potential for armadas of Turkey Vulture and other soaring raptors, so keep looking up! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Michael Burton-Smith () Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
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