Holiday Beach Conservation Area
Amherstburg, ON Canada
Holiday Beach Migration Observatory
October 13-18, 1998
My apologies for the lateness of this week’s account. The season is
taking its toll on promptness.
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Tuesday, October 13, 1998
No Coverage
(We do not have anyone assigned or committed to Tuesdays!
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Wednesday, October 14, 1998
TV - 730
OS - 1
NH - 12
BE - several residents (immature) observed throughout the day
SS - 108
CH - 9
RS - 2
RT - 13
RL - 1
GE - 1
PE - 1
Total - 878
Weather: Winds were moderate from the west; cool cloudy conditions
Observers: Fred Urie, Carl Latta, Mercer Patriache, Betty Learmouth,
Bernie & Jane Shaw from Delaware.
Other observations:
- American Robins, 16
- Blue Jays, 214
- House Finch, 220
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Thursday, October 15, 1998
TV = 134
BE = 2
NH = 3
SS = 57
CH = 5
RS = 1
RT = 7
Total = 209
Weather: SW to SE wind light
Observers: Ray Seng, Jack Boxer, Bernie & Jane Shaw
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Friday, October 16, 1998
TV = 775
NH = 8
SS = 59
CH = 6
NG =
RS = 3
RT = 4
AK = 3
ML = 1
Total = 859
Weather: S to SE wind (!) light to moderate
Observers: Bob Pettit, Dorothy McLeer, Wes Kinnin
Other birds: Robins, Blackbirds, Red-headed Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco.
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Saturday, October 17, 1998
TV = 1
NH = 3
SS = 34
UB = 1
Total = 39
Weather: S to SE wind (!) light to moderate; overcast
Observers: Sue Tanner, Steve Gruedanus, Bob Pettit
Other birds: Shoveler Duck 1 female), Dark-eyed Junco 1, Song Sparrow
3, nothing else
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Sunday, October 18, 1998
TV = 80** see below
SS = 3
CH = 1 (ad)
ML = 1 (male)
PG = 2 (Note the falcons ML & PG fly on rainy southerly winds!)
Total = 7 (Yes, seven; see below)
** After the rain stopped TVs were observed flying over the western
horizon appearing first north of the Boblo Tower flying in a southerly
direction. They were not included in the count total since they had not
been seen passing the tower.
Weather: Strong South winds, hazy, rain
Observer: Bob Hall-Brooks (8 hours of observing)
Other Birds:
- Canada Geese 382
- American Robins 14
- Killdeer 5
- Shoveler Duck 3
- Goldfinch 2
- warbler sp. 1
- Crows non-committal
- Blue Jays absent
Apologies to Dan Farmer and his class from Wayne State whose raptor
watch became non-existent.
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Visit webpage for site info
http://www.wincom.net/~erca/ca/hbca/hbmo.htm
Visit webpage for September hawk numbers
http://www.wincom.net/~erca/ca/hbca/1998/septmigr.htm
The Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO) (founded in 1986,
counting since 1974) is a non-profit, volunteer organization formed to
promote the study and protection of migrating birds.
This site is in Essex County, Ontario, on the north shore of Lake Erie
near the Detroit River. 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 (HBCA) is on the
eastern end of a large freshwater “estuary” known as Big Creek. The site
about 6 miles east of the Detroit River mouth and 1.1 miles south on
Essex Road 50 at its junction with Highway 20 (old 18) at Malden Centre.
In 1988, HBMO persuaded Detroit Edison to donate a 40 foot observation
tower, now called the Hawk Tower, which is the focal point of the hawk
watch site.
May you have favorable winds and high clouds.
Enjoy the fall migration and keep looking up!
- Bob
