[Ontbirds] Holiday Beach Hawk Watch (08 Nov 2019) 1214 Raptors
Holiday Beach Hawk Watch Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 08, 2019 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Turkey Vulture 692 3770 53006 Osprey 0 0 36 Bald Eagle 6 33226 Northern Harrier29110567 Sharp-shinned Hawk 46259 5227 Cooper's Hawk 11 30267 Northern Goshawk 0 0 6 Red-shouldered Hawk 47145360 Broad-winged Hawk1 6 25779 Red-tailed Hawk373803 1621 Rough-legged Hawk2 3 3 Golden Eagle 3 8 11 American Kestrel 1 16 1726 Merlin 1 4111 Peregrine Falcon 2 7 58 Unknown Accipiter0 0 5 Unknown Buteo0 1 13 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 4 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Total:1214 5195 89027 -- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter:Maryse Gagné Observers:Dan Lumm, Jeremy Bensette, Kit McCann, Kory Renaud Visitors: Many visitors on the tower, and I am so grateful for everyone's help, not an easy day on the eyes! Thank you Dan Lumm, Kit McCann, Kory Renaud, and Jeremy Bensette for their really great spotting today. Additional thank you to Noel Herdman and Dana (thanks you for the coffee and brownie!) for their help. Lastly, thanks to Tim Jarrold for taking time out a busy banding day to bring us an immature Red-shouldered Hawks to be released from the tower. Made my day! Weather: Another day of North-West winds! Raptors definitely took advantage of the wind and clear blue skies to migrate very high above the tower. Even if the sky made it hard to spot the birds, the sun kept us warm and light winds made the temperatures enjoyable. Raptor Observations: What a day! Not only did we count many individuals but we also had 13 different species passing the the tower today! All the usual species, but also including a Broad-winged Hawk, all three falcon species, Golden Eagles and Rough-legged Hawks. The most numerous species were the Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks. Happy to say that we counted both light and dark colour morphs of the Rough-legged Hawks. In the last 2 hours we also counted 3 Golden Eagles, the last one flying over as the hour rang, still counts! The majority of the raptors flew very high above the tower, just specs against the blue sky. Non-raptor Observations: If you thought the Crows were done migrating...think again! Today we counted over 6,000 American Crows crossing the marsh...the clicker did not stop clicking today. Other highlights included Sandhill Cranes, many Bluebirds, an Eastern Phoebe, a Fox Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglets and a squabble between a Swamp Sparrow and a Winter Wren. Still many ducks on the marsh, including more Buffleheads and a few Canvasbacks. Check out our full ebird list here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S61280738 Predictions: Winds are to shift back to the South-West with clouds and some sun in the afternoon. Hopefully the raptors will be on the same trajectory and fly right over us. We are still expecting Northern Harriers, more Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks and Golden Eagles. Fingers crossed they'll show! Report submitted by Maryse Gagné (maryse.gagn...@gmail.com) Holiday Beach Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://hbmo.ca/ More site information at hawkcount.org: http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=100 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] Detroit River Hawk Watch (08 Nov 2019) 1268 Raptors
Detroit River Hawk Watch Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 08, 2019 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 837 3022 51230 Osprey 0 0 35 Bald Eagle 0 9 87 Northern Harrier 3 18283 Sharp-shinned Hawk 14135 3992 Cooper's Hawk1 7 90 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 42135330 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 64336 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk366701 1559 Rough-legged Hawk2 3 4 Golden Eagle 1 7 11 American Kestrel 0 3701 Merlin 0 1 32 Peregrine Falcon 2 5 51 Unknown Accipiter0 0 0 Unknown Buteo0 0 1 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total:1268 4046 122743 -- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter:Kevin Georg Observers:Andrew Sturgess, Don Sherwood, Patrick Mulawa, Rosemary Brady Visitors: The north winds brought out some visitors today. Will and his sister made the trip from Ann arbor. Dee, Marty and Johannes made the trip. Thanks to all for their help in locating the very high birds. Weather: The second day of NW winds proved more fruitful for our site. As the high pressure settled into the area and the winds died down and shifted to a more westerly line it lacked the punch that pushed our prey away from us yesterday. The barometer did drop somewhat but it started from a high 30.4". The sunlit high blue sky was tempered somewhat by the formation of contrail clouds from the passing jets. A cold day but with a lot less malice than yesterday. Raptor Observations: Turkey vultures made a comeback today with 837 birds, a nice bounce-back from yesterday. The red-tails were on the move today but as the day progressed and the wind diminished they took a very high line. 42 red-shoulders joined them in the buteo class. We were still light on sharpies with only 14 with 1 Cooper's hawk along for the ride. 2 peregrine falcons were observed, including one that was eating his catch in flight. 3 harriers were spotted. Our birds of the day were 2 rough-legged hawks, one light morph and a beautiful black dark morph. Joining them on the most desirable list was 1 golden eagle seen in the afternoon. Non-raptor Observations: The tundra swans are passing overhead and today we saw a line of snow geese wandering around the sky looking for the exit sign apparently. Bonaparte's gulls are still here and although we thought the Forster's terns may have left, one made a late appearance. Predictions: The technical lines are diverging tomorrow. Wind will be increasing from the SW and the barometer will be falling. Neither of these factors is usually good for our site. I would expect moderate movement at best and more likely less than that. It will be another cold day with plenty of wind. Report submitted by Andrew Sturgess (ajye...@gmail.com) Detroit River Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://www.detroitriverhawkwatch.org More site information at hawkcount.org: http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=285 Count data submitted via Dunkadoo - Project info at: https://dunkadoo.org/explore/detroit-river-international-wildlife-refuge/detroit-river-hawk-watch-fall-2019 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] Snow Geese in Eastern Ontario
People have been wondering where the birds are and there is no good answer. The sod fields along Lafleche Rd east of Casselman have failed to yield birds on multiple passes since the large movement 10 days ago. About 1,000+ were in harvested cornfields northeast of Hwy 417 and Hwy 138. Another 2,000 were west of Moose Creek in a flyover after hunters spooked a flock probably a km northwest of town. Recent snowcover has not helped and more snow next week may add to the existing depth. There may be other flocks in cornfields east and west of the area but it will mean checking a number of concessions. On the plus side and unrelated there were numerous Snow Buntings northeast of Hwy 417 and Hwy 138 between the St. Rose area and St. Isidore. Cty rds 21, 20 and 19 were best but other flocks were present as well. We had about 1900 birds. There were also a few flocks of Horned Larks (75) and a solitary Lapland Longspur. A confused Killdeer was looking for ground that wasn't white. The snowcover forced ground feeders to roadsides which worked well for us. Brian Morin ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] White Pelican Long Point
First observed flying over the Long Point Bird Observatory Old Cut Research Station a few days ago, a White Pelican is presently swimming in the wetlands adjacent to Howes Ave., on Long Point which is across from the ‘old’ provincial park. Directions and relevant street names, sites and landmarks can be found in the Long Point Birding Trail. https://www.birdscanada.org/longpoint/images/LPBTbrochure.pdf Good Birding Stu ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Bird Report for 1-7 Nov 2019
Presqu’ile Bird Report for 1-7 Nov 2019 By Doug McRae HIGHLIGHTS: BRANT, SNOW GOOSE, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL This week’s cold weather stimulated lots of movement with an increase in waterfowl and a thinning of passerine numbers. On 1 Nov a lone BRANT flew north out of the Park with three CANADA GEESE and appeared to be heading to the corn fields on Huff Rd., which is unusual as this species is rarely seen feeding away from the actual lakeshore. Two white morph SNOW GEESE flew over Calf Pasture on 5 Nov. Two TRUMPETER SWANS, a species not yet common here, were seen on 5 Nov. A small movement of TUNDRA SWANS also came through with sightings from various locations between 3-7 Nov, and with a high count of 16 on 3 Nov. Waterfowl numbers continue to build with diving and sea ducks contributing the largest share. Two CANVASBACKS, scarce in fall, were in Presqu’ile Bay on 3 Nov. Two SURF SCOTERS were seen off the Government Dock on 3 Nov and small numbers of WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were around throughout the week. A few PIED-BILLED GREBES were seen throughout the week in the marsh. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT numbers have also dropped to a handful on most days and at least one GREAT BLUE HERON is still hanging in. There were more raptors this week. TURKEY VULTURES were seen in small numbers through the week. Single BALD EAGLES were seen on 3 and 5 Nov. Two migrating male NORTHERN HARRIERS were seen coming off the Lake at dawn on 4 Nov. Two more harriers were half-heartedly chasing birds in a huge blackbird/starling flock in the marsh on the evening of 7 Nov. Two slightly more serious COOPER’S HAWKS were also working the massive bird flock on 7 Nov. A NORTHERN GOSHAWK – our first of fall – flew past the Lighthouse on 1 Nov. Two RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS passed over the gate with five RED-TAILED HAWKS on 3 Nov. The flock of AMERICAN COOTS along the causeway had grown to 28 by 7 Nov. Shorebirds this week included BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER with a maximum of five on 3 Nov. A SEMIPALMATED PLOVER on 3 Nov may be the last of the year. KILLDEER, which hasn’t been seen in weeks, turned up twice with one on Huff Rd. (just NW of Park gate) on 3 Nov, and two on Beach 1 on 7 Nov. Both SANDERLING and DUNLIN were seen throughout the period with high counts being 15 on 3 Nov and 9 on 7 Nov respectively. There was no coverage of Gull Is. this week. The only unusual gull was an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL that was seen by many on the beach on 3 Nov. A BELTED KINGFISHER at the gate on 5 Nov was the only report. MERLINS were seen several times and a PEREGRINE FALCON was over the causeway marsh on 3 Nov. Two EASTERN PHOEBE on 5 Nov might be the last of fall. A HORNED LARK was at Beach 1 on 7 Nov. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS have thinned out greatly with a high of three on 5 Nov. EASTERN BLUEBIRDS moved through in some numbers with eight on 3 Nov, 10 on 5 Nov, and one on 6 Nov. A few HERMIT THRUSHES lingered with one on 7 Nov being then last. A truly massive flock of EUROPEAN STARLINGS estimated at 12,000 birds flew about the marsh at dusk on 7 Nov being intermittently chased by NORTHERN HARRIERS and COOPER’S HAWKS! Two AMERICAN PIPITS were on the beach on 3 Nov. 12 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen on 3 Nov and a group of 20 were in the picnic area 5-6 Nov. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were seen through the week in small numbers with a high of eight on 5 Nov. BLACKBIRDS are roosting in the marsh and are still common at dusk and dawn. The largest gathering was 3500 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS mixed with 1500 COMMON GRACKLES, along with the afore mentioned starlings on 7 Nov. Seven RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were also seen in that roost, and another two were at the gate the same day. Presqu’ile allows waterfowl hunting on Mondays, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and the public is not permitted in hunting areas on those days. The areas affected are the marsh, Calf Pasture Point, Gull and High Bluff Is., and later in the season, Owen Pt. At the present time you may go to the tip of Owen Pt. on a hunting day, but not beyond the sign. Once a blind is placed on Owen Pt. in November, access to Owen Pt. will be closed. The hunt will continue until 21 December. Directions: Presqu’ile Provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, just south of the town of Brighton. It can be reached from either Hwy. 401, or Cty. Rd. 2 and is well signed. A Park map can be found in the information tabloid available at the Park gate. Presqu’ile’s two offshore islands – Gull and High Bluff – support a large multi-species colonial bird nesting area and access is not permitted during the breeding season (10 March - 10 September) Doug McRae P.O. Box 3010 Brighton, Ontario K0K 1H0 613-475-5014 H 613-243-4161 C ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird
