Visitors: Thanks to Mike, Noel, Kiah, Wade, Hugh, Liz and Michelle for your help in conducting today's count.
Weather: Occasional glimmers of sunlight offered unrealised hope, with the day remaining largely overcast and temperatures hovering in the mid teens. The south-southwest wind peaked around midday at around 31 kilometres per hour, never quite reaching the forecast gales.
Raptor Observations: The runaway highlight was a dark morph Rough-legged Hawk, which provided a fantastic opportunity to learn distinguishing features for this plumage at distance. It was also interesting to compare the North American sanctijohannis subspecies with Europe's B. l. lagopus, the latter of which is slightly larger and does not have a true dark morph.
Otherwise, it was a fairly quiet day with Sharp-shinned Hawk in particular dropping off now that we are into November.
It was an English drama of such proportions that it rivalled Coronation Street on the marsh today, as two Mute Swans clashed in a fight so ugly it wouldn't be permitted in a WWE ring. It began as an even battle, with the two birds wrapping their necks around each other and attempting to knock over their opponent with heavy blows from their wings. Eventually, one cob gained an edge and forced the other bird underwater, biting it by the neck. Other males came in to jeer from the sidelines, then joined in active pursuit as the weaker bird made a desperate escape. The original assailant went in for a second round, before the exhausted loser finally made it to Gallinule Log where he could get out of the water, catch a breath and begin to dry out.
A late American Golden Plover was a pleasant addition to our November list, and the American White Pelicans continue to linger in reduced numbers. Overhead was an impressive movement of Horned Lark (1415), American Robin (928) and Cedar Waxwing (733). The Horned Lark count is the third highest in HBMO history.
Predictions: If we can manage patches of clear sky overnight and the northerly winds come true, we may be in store for a change in waterfowl on the marsh and passerines around the tower tomorrow morning. During the day northwesterlies will hopefully bring raptors closer after a week of specks on the horizon, although Saturday's clearer skies are perhaps a better bet for producing a big show (admittedly, by November standards). ======================================================================== Report submitted by Michael Burton-Smith () Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/
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