Holiday Beach Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 19, 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Turkey Vulture 5 34 34 Osprey 1 45 45 Bald Eagle 0 29 29 Northern Harrier 5 247 247 Sharp-shinned Hawk 88 2110 2110 Cooper's Hawk 4 77 77 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 1 2408 2408 Red-tailed Hawk 0 90 90 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 103 1049 1049 Merlin 2 29 29 Peregrine Falcon 1 15 15 Unknown Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1 Total: 210 6134 6134 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Mike Fitzpatrick Observers: Fred Urie, Jim McCoy Visitors: Visitors were from all over the map today--ON, MI, OH, PA, NY, and NJ Weather: Cool temps, WSW winds all day, cloud cover started at about 10%, and ended the day at about 90%. Humidity dropped drastically as day progressed. Cloud cover kept most birds low, and winds kept them south of the tower, or overhead. Raptor Observations: small raptors were the order of the day, with mostly AK's and SS's. One lone adult BW was the ONLY buteo today. Our "resident" OS tolerated another OS today, even to where both sat in the same tree, not far from each other. This was unexpected as "Oscar" has been escorting all other OS out of the area in the last 2 wks. One of the OS brought a fairly large gar to the dining tree, a species of fish not usually seen caught by OS. 2 PG were seen by other observers before the official count began, so they were not included in the day's tally Non-raptor Observations: Many "skeeter-falcons"( chimney swifts) seen today, and numerous flyby hummers kept the interludes interesting. The swifts were low and active. Predictions: Your guess is as good as any highly-paid Great Lakes meteorologist. There's been predictions of rain and W winds, and cool, dry NW winds. If it is the latter come morning, call in sick and get to the tower. There's a bunch of BW's out there just waiting and wanting to be counted. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Michael Fitzpatrick ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Holiday Beach Migration Observatory information may be found at: http://hbmo.org/ Site Description: Holiday Beach Conservation Area was formerly a Provincial Park, but is now administered by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). It is strategically located at the extreme southwestern tip of southern Ontario. The park is on the eastern end of a large freshwater estuary known as Big Creek. (Specifically the site is 1.1 miles south of the junction Highway 20 (old 18) and Essex Road 50, Town of Amherstburg). The Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO) (founded in 1986) is a non-profit, volunteer organization formed to promote the study and protection of migrating birds. Activities focus primarily on fall migration of raptors and other species. This site is in Essex County, Ontario, on the north shore of Lake Erie near the Detroit River. In 1988, HBMO persuaded Detroit Edison to donate a 40 foot Hawk Tower which is now at the site. Southwestern Ontario has a funneling effect on migrating raptors due to the geography of the nearby lakes and the reluctance of most raptors to cross large bodies of water. Birds gain altitude over the flat farmland to the north and east, rising easily with the thermals that such areas provide in abundance. As the birds head south they meet Lake Erie and, reluctant to cross it , turn west. With appropriate wind and weather conditions, birds pile up along the lake shore and move west until they reach the narrow crossing at the Detroit River (or island hop within the river mouth). Directions to site: Entering Canada from Detroit at the Ambassador Bridge: After Canadian Customs, stay left 50 yards, passing over the railroad tracks. You are now on Huron Church Road leading to Highway 401 and Highway 3. Continue east 3.8 miles to the intersection with Todd and Cabana roads. Go through the intersection, staying to the right. In less than 100 yards the main road splits; 401 and 3 continue to the left as the main road and Huron Church narrows and angles to the right. Follow Huron Church right for 0.5 miles to Disputed Road. After anglign a right turn onto Disputed Road, travel south. At 4 miles Disputed Road intersects with Townline Road, and the name changes to Concession 5. Continue south 5 miles and Concession 5 "T"'s with South Townline Road. Turn left and travel east 0.2 miles, turning right (south) onto Concession 6. Continue south for 3.4 miles to the intersection with Highway 20 at Malden Centre in the town of Amherstburg. There is a restaurant/convenience/gas store on the southeast corner of the intersection. Go through the intersection south onto Route 50 for 1.3 miles. The entrance to the Holiday Beach Conservation Area is on the right. Pay entry fee and continue to the Hawk Tower at the south end of the park. Park vehicle and walk to the tower. West bound on Routes 401 and 3 Howard Avenue, Route 9, intersects Routes 401 and 3 east of Windsor. Take Howard Avenue south to Highway 20 ("T"'s) and turn left (west) traveling to Malden Centre in the town of Amherstburg. A restaurant/convenience/gas store is on the left. Turn left (south) on to Route 50 for 1.3 miles; the entrance to HBCA is on the right.
