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Fortieth Annual Fall Raptor Migration Count at Holiday
Beach Conservation Area, Amherstburg, Essex County,
Ontario, Canada
Including Selected Non-raptor Observations
Fall 2013
Todd R. Pepper
Fall 2013 Hawk Counter, Holiday Beach Migration Observatory
Conducted by the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory
in cooperation with the Essex Region Conservation Authority
at Holiday Beach Conservation Area
Contact:
Todd R. Pepper
[email protected]
January 2013
HBMO 2013
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Summary
The 40th annual hawk count by the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO) at Holiday Beach Conservation Area (HBCA) in
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada was conducted from 1 September through 30 November 2013. The migration period produced an
above average seasonal total of 104,440 raptors of an amazing nineteen species. This is the first time in 40 years that all nineteen of
the historically recorded raptor species were all seen in the same year.
This season’s total is 109% higher than 2012; 60% higher than the 10-year (2003-2012) average; and, 34% higher than the 20-year
(1993-2012) average mostly as a result of the highest Broad-winged Hawk count since 2001. Broad-winged Hawks and Turkey
Vultures over the 10-year and 20 year periods have represented over 70% of total raptors counted, however, in 2013 these two species
represented 87% of all raptors counted. The other 17 species of raptors counted in 2013 totaled 14,084. This is 16% higher than 2012;
but19% and 33% below the 10-year and 20-year averages, respectively. There was no consistent pattern of increases or decreases in
2013 over the 10-year or 20-year average for early or late migrants, or on a sub-family basis between the accipiters, buteos, or falcons.
The only consistent pattern observed for 2013 is the increase in both Bald and Golden Eagle numbers relative to both the 10-year and
20-year averages.
Site History
Located on the north shore of Lake Erie near the Detroit River, Holiday Beach of Essex County, Ontario, provides an excellent
observation location during the southbound fall migration season. The count is conducted from a 40-foot tower overlooking the Big
Creek estuary. The GPS coordinates of the tower are: N42.03317, W83.0455. Raptor migration counts have taken place at Holiday
Beach since 1974. HBMO was officially founded in 1986. HBCA has been designated an Important Bird Area by Bird Studies Canada
(Chartier and Stimac, 2002). Additional information about Holiday Beach including counts and records of daily weather conditions,
volunteer observers, visitors, and hourly breakdowns of each day’s migration observations may be found at the HBMO website
(www.hbmo.org) or at HawkCount.org. In addition, four recent papers describe the 2009-2012diurnal raptor migration at HBCA
(Bosler, 2009), (Pawlicki, 2010),(Kolbe 2011),(Pepper 2012).
Methods
The official count at HBCA occurred daily from approximately 0700 to 1600 EST. Depending on sunrise time and flight activity,
monitoring was often conducted before and after these times. The counter was present on the top level of the 40-foot tower every day
from 1 September to 30 November unless heavy rain, thunderstorms, or other severe weather made accurate data collection impossible
or dangerous. Occasionally, the count would be conducted from a lower level of the tower due to drizzle. Even during rain showers,
the count was still conducted from inside the counter’s vehicle or HBMO’s Lake Banding Station. The primary counter typically
worked five days per week while volunteers covered the other two days of the week. The counters primarily used binoculars to detect
and identify birds .A spotting scope was used to confirm extremely distant observations and rarely was it used to both spot and
identify birds. While migrating diurnal raptors were the primary focus, all bird species, where time permitted, were tallied each day on
a data collection sheet. The count followed the protocol established in 2002.
Hourly weather data and raptor counts were recorded on separate sheetscompleted throughout each day (see Appendix). Data sheet
information included meteorological measurements and observations as well as data collected about the raptor flight each hour. The
data collected each day was then promptly entered into Hawk Migration Association of North America’s (HMANA) electronic
database, HawkCount.org, along with observations, comments, and anecdotes from the day’s count. When entered into HMANA the
information was then sent automatically to various electronic listservs and individuals.
Raptor Migration Summary
From September 1 to November 30, 2013, observers at Holiday Beach counted the migration of diurnal raptors for 680.25 hours. This
is 14% higher than the 10-year average (Table 1) and 8% higher than the 20-year average. The use of a full time paid counter over the
last five years has generally increased observation time from the strictly volunteer based count in prior years.
During 2013 a total of 104,440 individual diurnal raptors of 19 species were counted moving east to west along the north shore of
Lake Erie (Table 1). This is a 60% increasefrom the 10-year average and a 34% increase from the 20-year average at the site (Table
2), mostly as a result of the highest Broad-winged Hawk count since 2001 and the second highest Turkey Vulture count in the 40-year
history of the site. Broad-winged Hawks and Turkey Vultures made up 87% of all migrating raptors counted in 2013. This is up from
the historical average of 73%. If these two species are removed from the totals this leaves 14,084 individual raptors of the other 17
species counted in 2013. This represents a 19% decreasefrom the 10-year average and an even larger 33% decrease from the 20-year
average (Table 1 and 2).
During the three-month count period in 2013, observers recorded an average of 154 raptors per hour. This is the highest raptor count
per hour since 2001 when the average was 171 raptors per hour. The 2013 raptor per hour rate is 43% higher than the 10-year average
and 29% higher than the 20-year average (Table 2).See Table 1 for other raptor per hour listings.
September brought generally favorable winds for raptor migration with winds out of the north, northwest, or northeast on twentythree days, compared to the twenty-one days of southerly or southwesterly winds in September 2012. This resulted in 58,872 raptors
of 17 species passing over the hawk tower at Holiday Beach in 2013 compared to only 13,661 raptors of 15 species in the same period
in 2012. Seventy-five percent of the Ospreys, 69% of the Sharp-shinned Hawks, 63% of Merlins and 56% of the Bald Eagles counted
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during the fall season passed in the counts first month, as well as 60% of the Sharp-shinned Hawks and Merlins. The increase in total
raptors in September 2013 over 2012 was mostly due to the increase in Broad-winged Hawk migration with 48,626 counted in
September 2013 compared to only 5,961 in September 2012.
The Bald Eagle count of 395 in 2013 set a new best yearly record almost doubling the prior high year count of 201 set in 2011.The
41,727 Turkey Vultures counted in 2013 was the second highest recorded yearly count supplanting the 41,543 vultures counted in
2005. The 7 Swainsonʼs Hawks observed in 2013 were also the highest year count for this typically ‟western” species. There was no
new best day record set in 2013, except for Swainsonʼs Hawk where any number over 1 would be a very good day any year.Turkey
Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, and Golden Eagle exceeded their 10-year
species average. All of those except Rough-legged Hawk also exceeded their 20-year species averages (Table 2), as did
Cooper’sHawk and Merlin.
Northern Goshawk and Red-tailed Hawk, typical late fall migrants at Holiday Beach, were detected in below average numbers in
2013. Northern Goshawk was down 70% and 77% respectively below its 10-year and 20-year averages, while Red-tailed Hawk was
8% and 29% below its 10-year and 20-year averages.(Table 2).
A total of 13 new Top 10 high-count days were set in 2013, with 5 new top 10 records alone for Bald Eagle. The 40,280
Broad-winged Hawks counted on September 19 was the first over 40,000 daily count for this species since 1998. It also resulted in
September 9, 2013 becoming the 7th highest daily count for all species, usurping the count of 39,186 individual raptors counted on
September 16, 1986. Details of the daily high-count days are set out within the Species Accounts sections that follow.
Species Accounts
Turkey Vulture
A total of 41,727 Turkey Vultures migrated past the hawk tower at Holiday Beach in 2013 (Table 1). This total is 32% higher than the
10-year average, and a 63%increase from the 20-year average (Table 2). Turkey Vulture migration started in earnest with 1,110 birds
on 25 September and was essentially completed by 3 November when 99% of the total had been counted. The daily high count for the
season was a reasonable 5,855 on 24 October making it the 7th highest daily count for this species. Turkey Vultures made up 40% of
all migrant raptors counted in 2013.
Black Vulture
A single Black Vulture, a southern vulture that does not breed in Canada, was seen on 3 November. This is only the 4th record of a
Black Vulture in the 40-year history of the Holiday Beach raptor count. Interestingly, three of the four sightings have been within a
5-day window between 31 October and 5 November.
Osprey
At Holiday Beach, Ospreys were seen as soon as the count period began. Ospreys are crowd-pleasers as they often stop to forage in
the marsh either briefly or for a few days. In some cases they will hover at eye level over the ‟trout” pond or the open marsh and then
stop to feed on an easily observed branch of a large willow tree to the south of the hawk tower.
The total of 76 Osprey counted in 2013 was 33% lower than the 10-year average and 34% lower than the 20-year average for the
species. However, the migrant Osprey were supplemented by resident Osprey from two nesting pair located northwest of the hawk
tower at the top end of the Big Creek drainage area. This is the fourth year for this nesting species. Both adult and hatch-year birds
were observed on almost a daily basis in September flying into the Big Creek estuary to catch and feed on fish.
Mississippi Kite
On 25 September 2013 the second ever Mississippi Kite recorded at HBMO was seen just around noon flying with a mixed flock of
mostly Broad-winged Hawks and a couple Red-tailed Hawks. The long, thin wing pattern typical of a Mississippi Kite first caught my
eye and behind me there were shouts of “what is that raptor with the gray head?” The lack of white secondary feathers and a white
head suggests that this was an adult female Mississippi Kite. The first Mississippi Kite recorded at HBMO was on 8 September 2010.
Bald Eagle
The number of Bald Eagles that passed over Holiday Beach in 2013 re-wrote the record book for this species. The total of 395 eagles
seen in 2013 was almost double the 10-year average and slightly more than three times the 20-year average. It is also the highest
number of the species ever recorded in the 40-year history of the hawk count. The daily count of Bald Eagles on 5 days in 2013
bumped off 5 other days from the Top 10 Day Count. The 27 eagles counted on 9 September is now the second highest daily count
after the 33 eagles counted on 15 September, 2011. The 21 eagles counted on 12 November is now tied for 6th place with the 21
counted on 15 September, 2007, and is the only top day record for the species in November. There were three days in 2013; 3
September, 7 October, and 10 October when 18 eagles were counted that are now tied for 7th place with 11 September, 2006 and 23
September, 2012.
There is a long-time breeding pair of Bald Eagle within the Big Creek estuary adjacent to the HBMO hawk tower. One or both of the
adult birds, their two first-year fledglings, and a third-year sub-adult were seen on a daily basis throughout the hawk count season. As
the number of migrating Bald Eagles exceeded 201, the previous recorded high year count, it became common practice to scan the Big
Creek estuary and account for the five resident birds before considering any new eagles as ‟countable” migrants.
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Northern Harrier
The dihedral shape of a Northern Harrier silhouetted against the dawn’s glow is one of the signature experiences at Holiday Beach.
Noted for their early morning and late evening migration, Northern Harriers may be under-counted at most watch sites. Strong
anecdotal evidence suggests Harriers may even migrate at night (Russell 1991). In addition, harriers seem to migrate regardless of
calendar date, wind direction, precipitation, or temperature adding to the possibility of them being under-reported.
A total of 434 Northern Harriers moved past Holiday Beach in 2013(Table 1). This is 44% lower than the 10-year average and 51%
lower than the 20-year average. Fully 50% of the Northern Harriers counted in 2013 migrated in September, however, the balance
drifted over in 1’s or 2’s right through to the last count day. The daily high count of 36 harriers on 16 September was only 40% of the
lowest of the top 10 daily count days for this species (92 individuals on 2 September, 1987).
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Of all the raptors that pass through the site, the Sharp-shinned Hawk is the most common, in that there are few days during the count
season when no ‛sharpiesʼ are recorded. While that was the case again in 2013 it was not a particularly good year for Sharp-shinned
Hawks at Holiday Beach. The 6,578 birds observed was the fourth lowest count since monitoring began at Holiday Beach in 1974.
The lowest count recorded was 3,533 birds in 2009. As noted elsewhere, the decline in Sharp-shinned Hawks may not be a reflection
of their overall breeding population as the species adjusts “its winter distribution in response to the increased affinity for hunting at
backyard feeders” (Gahbauer, 2007). The highest single daily count was 1,017 birdson 15 September, or just 3% off the lowest of the
top 10 days for this species at 1,394 Sharpies on 12 September, 1985. Thirty-three percent of all birds of this species counted in 2013
were during the week of 11 through 17 September.
Cooper’s Hawk
The 628 Cooper’s Hawk counted in 2013 was 1 more than in 2012. The totalfor 2013 was essentially average being 5% lower than the
10-year average (2003 – 2012), but 6% higher than the 20-year average (1993 – 2012). There were really no big days of Cooper’s
Hawk migration in 2013. The highest daily count was only 43 birds on 16 September, which is only 40% of the lowest of the top 10
days for this species when 106 were counted on 23 October 2003. There was not even a big week for Cooper’sHawk migration in
2013 as there was in 2012 when fully 30% of all the birds of this species passed over the hawk tower in the week between 21-28
October, 2012.
Northern Goshawk
Holiday Beach hasn’t seen Northern Goshawk numbers approach 50 since 2005, and that trend continued in 2013. Only 7 goshawks
were noted passing the hawk tower in 2013; one less than in 2012 but a 70% decrease from the 10-year average and a 77% decrease
from the 20-year average (Tables 1 and 2). The first goshawk was not seen until 29 October 2013 and none were seen after 12
November.
Red-shouldered Hawk
The first Red-shouldered Hawk of the season is always highly anticipated at the Holiday Beach hawk tower. One had to be patient to
see one in 2013. While they came through in dribs and drabs starting on 16 September 80% of the 727 birds counted in 2013 passed
over the tower in the 8 days between 23 October and 30 October. The last single ‛shoulderʼ was seen on 27 November.
The season total of 727 Red-shouldered Hawks was 33% higher than the 10-year average and 8% higher than the 20-year average
(Table 1 and 2). The peak flight day in 2013 was 226 birds on 30 October, a respectable total at just 11% lower than the lowest of the
top 10 days for this species (253 on 13 October, 1984).
Broad-winged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawks are usually the highlight of HBMO’s Hawk Festivals typically held on the middle two weekends of
September.While small numbers of Broad-winged Hawks were seen on 14, 15, 21 and 22 September, the days of the Hawk Festival,
the real ‛kettles of birds were observed on Monday 16 September when 40,280 birds, or 83% of all ‛broadiesʼ counted in 2013. That
was enough to put the 16th into 7th place on the top 10 list for this species, and was the first time in 19 years that there was a +40,000
Broad-winged Hawk day.
The overall count of Broad-winged Hawks in 2013 was 48,629, which was 202% higher than the 10-year average and 56% higher
than the 20-year average. As noted in the Summary section of this report the favorable winds out of the north, northwest, or northeast
on twenty-three days in September facilitated the flight of Broad-winged Hawks along the north shore of Lake Erie to be counted in
2013.
Swainson’s Hawk
It was an excellent year at Holiday Beach for this long-winged prairie Buteo with a total of 7 birds seen on 4 separate days in
September. Two birds were seen on the 12th, 3 birds on the 16th, and singletons on the 17th and 21st. This is the third year in a row that
at least three birds of this species were recorded at HBMO, and the first ever when 3 were recorded on one day.
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Red-tailed Hawk
A total of 3,805 Red-tailed Hawks were recorded during the 2013 count (Table 1). This was 8% lower than the 10-year average and
29% lower than the 20-year average.Small numbers of Red-tailed Hawks were seen throughout September and into late October,
however, 63% of all ‛tailsʼ counted in 2013 were seen in the 7-day period between 28 October and 4 November. The highest daily
count was 925 birds on 29 October. This is well below historic high single daily counts of between 1,500 and 3,000 ‛tailsʼ passing
over the hawk tower at Holiday Beach in prior years.
Rough-legged Hawk
A total of 41 individuals of this distinctive Buteo were counted at Holiday Beach in 2013. This is 22% higher than the 10-year average
but 28% lower than the20-year average counts (Table 1 and 2). The first Rough-legged was observed on 21 October, six days earlier
than in 2012. The last ‛roughieʼ was seen on 28 November, well past the last date in 2012 of 19 November. There was only one day in
2013 when there was a double-digit count of Rough-legged Hawks and that was only 10 birds on 29 October.
Rough-legged Hawks breed further north than of any of the 15 regular species of raptors counted at the HBMO hawk tower. The Atlas
of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, 2nd Edition, covering the years 2001 to 2005 indicates breeding of this species only occurs in Ontario
along the Hudson Bay coast west of the Winisk River, and only then in very low numbers (3 pairs). Therefore any Rough-legged
Hawk passing over the hawk tower has migrated from further north in the Canadian Arctic or from Quebec.
Golden Eagle
Hawk watchers faithfully monitor the weather reports in late October and November waiting for a north wind so that they can head out
to Holiday Beach in hopes of seeing a Golden Eagle, or maybe even 40 or 50 of them (50 being the highest single daily count on 1
November, 2008). Visitors were not disappointed in 2013 as 90 birds were observed during the count period. That is 16% higher than
both the 10-year and 20-year averages.
Similar to 2012, two Golden Eagle were recorded in September, on the 19th and 22nd, however the majority of the eagles (67%) were
observed during the first two weeks of November. The daily high count was 19 birds on 3 November (In 2012 the daily high count
was 10 birds on 4 November). Even though Golden Eagles breed south of the Rough-legged Hawk range they also have a long
migration journey to reach Holiday Beach.
American Kestrel
Despite hopes that the high count (4,874) of American Kestrels recorded in 2011 was the start of a rebound for this species in Ontario,
the 2013 total of 1,143 birds was disappointing. Within a 20-year time-line the 4,874 Kestrels counted in 2011 seems to be an anomaly
similar to the 4,884 birds counted in 1995. The count in 2013 was 40% lower than the 10-year average and 51% lower than the 20year average. The 1,143 birds counted in 2013 continue to reflect a long-term decline of this species. This decline is well documented
at other sites. See (http://kestrel.peregrinefund.org/kestrel-decline) for a map illustrating this North American decline. “These declines
may be due to several factors, including poisoning by pesticides in agricultural areas, predation by increasing populations of Cooper’s
Hawks (Accipiter cooperii), development and reforestation of preferred habitats, and potential exposure to the West Nile
virus.”(HawkWatch International, 2009).
Merlin
The 96 Merlins counted in 2013 is just 3% lower than the 10-year average for the species, but 9% higher than the 20-year average
indicating an increasing trend in migrant numbers. Hopefully this translates into a steadily increasing recovery of this species in
northern and northeastern Canada. Merlins almost always put on a show when passing the hawk tower. A plastic decoy Great Horned
Owl sits on top of the hawk tower flagpole and Merlin’s will often start screaming at the decoy as they get within 30 meters, and will
often strafe the decoy with their talons much to the delight of visitors on the hawk tower. One male Merlin did this five times before
proceeding on its migration. The 11 Merlin counted on 8 September ties three other dates, 15 September, 2009, 10 October, 2009, and
16 October, 1995, for the 5th highest top 10 days for this species.
Peregrine Falcon
A total of 43Peregrine Falcons were recorded this fall at Holiday Beach (Table 1). While this is only 8% lower than 2012 it is 35%
lower than the 10-year average and 28% lower than the 20-year average (Table 2). While the 2013 count for Peregrine Falcon was
below average, the Raptor Projection Index for the species at Holiday Beach reflects a statistically significant positive increase over
the long (40-year) term. The short-term decline was determined not to be statistically significant. (See http://rpiproject.org/2013/graphs.php?rsite=100).
Gyrfalcon
The second ever Gyrfalcon for the HBMO Raptor Count was observed on 4 October, 2013. The only other record is from 9
November 1991. Gyrfalcons are a tundra species and not known to breed in Ontario although one or two will be seen in “southern”
Ontario most winters.
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Selected Non-raptor highlights
METHODS
The tally of all non-raptor species in this report was conducted during the same period as the hawk count; September 1-November 30.
Generally only those non-raptors that pass directly over the hawk tower, or within 300 meters north and south of the hawk tower, are
counted given that the primary focus of the official counter and official observers is the counting of diurnal raptors. On days of
concentrated migration of some non-raptor species, particularly Blue Jays and American Crows, an official observer, if available, may
be tasked with counting that species. While all official counters and observers have been trained by HBMO in raptor identification, the
skill and ability of identifying non-raptor species will vary with each individual counter or observer. As such, the recording of nonraptor species is inconsistent, and the numbers set out in the species sections may not be considered to be scientifically significant.
SPECIES ACCOUNTS
Ducks, Geese, and Swans
The Big Creek Marsh Estuary borders the Hawk Tower on the east and north. August was a very dry period in Essex County resulting
in a very low water level in the marsh estuary. Very few waterfowl were in the marsh at the beginning of September 2013. There was
little change in the level at the end of September.To the southwest of the Hawk Tower the estuary water flows over a spillway owned
and controlled by a private hunt club. As has happened for several years, the club pumped water into the estuary from Lake Erie for
several days and the water rose to a normal level for waterfowl use.
Dabbling duck species, primarily Wood Duck, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, American Widgeon and Gadwall then
began arriving in small flocks through the remainder of the count season but at no time did they reach the numbers observed in prior
years. Diving ducks were mostly absent with no Canvasbacks, Ring-necked Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks, Ruddy Ducks, or Common
Mergansers recorded in the marsh.Other ducks were recorded in very low numbers as follows: Redhead (2); Bufflehead (1); Common
Goldeneye (3); and, Hooded Merganser (1).
There were 99 Mute Swans in the Big Creek Estuary at the start of the count season, including adults and cygnets. At the end of the
count there was only 1 adult pair with 1 cygnet remaining in the estuary. The majority had moved out into Lake Erie and/or the Detroit
River. Other sightings included: 1Snow Goose spotted in a flock of Canada Geese on 26 September, quite early for this species. Only
406 Canada Geese were recorded passing within range of the hawk tower the entire season. The number of Tundra Swans that
migrated within sight of the hawk tower in 2013 was identical to 2012 at 652 birds.
Loons
Only 1 Common Loon was observed migrating past the hawk tower in 2013 compared to 3 in 2012, however, a Red-throated Loon,
the first recorded by HBMO, was observed on 9 November.
Ibis
Following the excitement of 4 White-faced Ibis observed from the Hawk Tower in 2012 a single Glossy Ibis was first observed from
the Hawk Tower on 25 October. The bird remained in the Big Creek estuary for approximately 11 days. It was last observed on 4
November. Glossy Ibis is a breeding and resident bird along the eastern coast of the United States from New England to Florida.
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
The Rallidae family was noteworthy by their low numbers or absence of specific species in 2013. In Essex County during May 2013
rainfall was recorded on 18 of the first 26 days of the month, including a new historic rainfall amount of 62mm on 26 May. June 2013
also set a new historic precipitation record total of 172mm compared to a 30-year monthly average of 65mm. The Big Creek estuary
was in a flood condition during May and June when rail species, like Sora, should be breeding and nest building. No Sora were
observed during the count period. In addition, only 2 Common Gallinule were sighted. The single highest daily count for American
Coot, which has historically breed in the estuary, was 514 in 2013 compared to numbers in the thousands during the count period in
prior years. Based on these observationsit is assumed the flooding conditions prevented or restricted nest building for all rail species.
Cranes
During the count period 27 Sandhill Crane were observed, This is more than in either of the prior two years. A group of 3 birds was
seen on 28 October while a large group of 24 cranes was seen on 24 November.
Shorebirds
Three species of Plover were recorded at Holiday Beach in 2013. The most common of the three was Killdeer at 460 birds. This is
significantly higher than the 68 recorded in 2012.Twelve species of ‟sandpipers & allies” totaling 116 birds were noted in migration
from the Hawk Tower, up from 10 species of 74 birds in 2012. The top four species were: Pectoral Sandpiper (20); Lesser Yellowlegs
(18); Spotted Sandpiper (11); and Short-billed Dowitcher (11).
Gulls& Terns
While a large number of Ring-billed Gulls roost in the Big Creek Estuary on a daily basis they are typically not counted as they comeand-go all day, are non-migratory at this time of year, and are generally roosting greater than 300 meters from the hawk tower.
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Herring Gulls are not observed on a daily basis, suggesting a migratory behavior, and when present they tend to roost on a small batch
of beach within 300 meters of the hawk tower. As a result they are typically counted. The largest daily count in 2013 was 165 birds.
Bonaparte’s Gulls were observed in small numbers on migration and totaled 95 birds in 2013 compared to 102 in 2012.
For the second year in a row no Black Terns were seen at Holiday Beach while 214 of the species were counted in 2011. Caspian
Terns were seen in good numbers with 106 counted in 2013 versus 17 in 2012.
Swifts
The first migratory Chimney Swifts were counted on 2 September and small numbers were seen almost every day until 7 October. A
total of 297 swifts were counted in 2013, down considerably from the 703 recorded in 2012. The largest daily count was 48 birds on 9
September.
Hummingbirds
A total of 163 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were seen migrating past the hawk tower in 2013. This total is 5 birds less than the 168
recorded in 2012. The majority of their migration was completed by 11 October, however, 1 individual was counted on 29 October.
Woodpeckers
Five species of Woodpecker were observed migrating past the hawk tower in 2013. Northern Flickers were the most common, seen in
ones or twos almost every day from the beginning to the end of the hawk count and totaled 164. This is up slightly from the 156
counted in 2012. The remaining species were counted in low numbers as follows: Downy Woodpecker (51); Red-headed Woodpecker
(4); and singletons of each of Red-bellied and Hairy Woodpeckers.
Crows and Jays
The Winter Finch Forecast produced for the Ontario Field Ornithologists by Ron Pittaway projected a lower than usual Blue Jay
migration in 2013 due to the large crop of “mast”, i.e. acorns, hazelnuts and other fruit and nuts in northern Ontario. Only 86,304 Blue
Jays were counted migrating past the hawk tower in 2013 while the 2012 Blue Jay count was 313,029. The Blue Jay migration started
in earnest on 9 September and was essentially completed by 30 October with only 4 more Jays counted after that date. The peak day
was 13,435 Jays on 2 October. On 30 September 1993 there were more Blue Jays counted, 87,000, than the total for the whole count
season in 2013. The single highest daily count was 265,410 on 28 September, 2001.
The population of American Crow seems to be recovering from the effects of West Nile Virus as 68,461 crows were counted in 2013,
up 14% from the 60,042 counted in 2012. The 2012 count was up 10% from 2011. The major crow migration started on 23 October
and fully 70% of all birds passed the hawk tower in the next 7 days with the peak day of 30,955 birds occurring on 28 October. There
were also major flights on 12 November (8,200) and 14 November (10,000) that represented another 26% of the yearly total.
Larks
A total of 863 Horned Larks were counted in 2013. Fully 95% of them, or 816 birds, were counted on 17 November. The 2013 total is
significantly higher than the 2012 count of 114.
Swallows
Four of the six swallow species that breed in Ontario were detected at Holiday Beach in 2013. The 191 Purple Martins counted may be
an indication of the overall decline in this species as in prior years thousands of Purple Martins were counted on single days during
their peak migration period in mid-September. The peak day for Purple Martin migration in 2013 was only 126 birds on 15
September, with this one day representing 66% of the total number of martins counted for the season. A total of 1,722 Tree Swallows
were counted in 2013. This is often a difficult species to count as on many days in late September and early October there is a constant
circling of hundreds of Tree Swallows feeding low over the water in the Big Creek estuary. I have not put the 2013 count for Tree
Swallows into a historical perspective as in working with a number of the volunteer counters I noted that they often misidentified
Northern Rough-winged Swallows as Tree Swallows. Northern Rough-winged Swallows totaled 904 birds in 2013. In addition, 60
Bank Swallows and 91 Barn Swallows were counted in 2013.
Nuthatches
The Red-breasted Nuthatch seemed to be the passerine species of the year in 2012 with 63 recorded on migration. The HBMO
Passerine Banding Station also tallied the highest number of Red-breasted Nuthatch ever in 2012 at 18 birds compared to the previous
high of 11 birds in 2005. This season’s total count was only12 individuals.
Waxwings
Cedar Waxwings became the passerine species of the year in 2013 with 4,916 counted compared to 1,094 in 2012. Waxwings were
tallied on most days during the 3-month count period and were punctuated by two peak count days that were more than two months
apart, with 760 birds on 12 September and 650 on 17 November.
Warblers
Eighteen species of warbler were identified migrating past the hawk tower in 2013, compared to 16 species in 2012. Yellow-rumped
Warbler was the most common species identified at 516 birds. Warbler migration was quite late in 2013 and fully 50% of all the
HBMO 2013
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Page 7 of 11
warblers counted in 2013 migrated during the 3-day period from 29 - 30 October with the peak of 836 warblers counted on the 30th
October.
Finches
The ‛chipʼ call note and the ‛dipʼ flight pattern of American Goldfinch make it one of the easiest passerines to identify from the hawk
tower during migration. As predicted in the Winter Finch Forecast, produced by Ron Pittaway for the Ontario Field Ornithologists, the
winter finch numbers would be significantly lower than prior years due to a healthy seed crop in northern Ontario that would permit
breeding birds to over-winter there (2013 Pittaway). The goldfinch migration past the hawk tower in 2013 tallied only 4,488
individuals. As a comparison, 2012 had 11,112 goldfinches and 2011 had 12,323 goldfinches. The lower than usual numbers, as
predicted by Pittaway were evident this year. The top day in 2013 with 535 goldfinch tallied was November 10. The other finch
species were also counted in low numbers as follows: Purple Finch (1); House Finch (316); Pine Siskin (41); and Evening Grosbeak
(1).
Acknowledgements
A sincere thank you to all the volunteers who served as counters in 2013 including: Jason Craft, Jeremy Hatt, Cindy Isenhoff, BriAnna Jaksic, Olga Klekner, Dan Lumm, Bob Pettit, Paul Pratt, Claude Radley, Kory Renaud, and Claire Sanders. Special thanks to
Cindy Cartwright; she counted for 3 weeks in a blustery and cold November while I attended personal business. Additional thanks to
Donna Bedard, Phyllis Coble, John and Chris Craft, Cramer, Frank Dolby, Mike Fitzpatrick, Dan Greenham, Bob Hall-Brooks, Rene
Kielbasa, Roland Klekner, Larry Ludwicki, Dorothy McLeer, Jim McCoy, Donny Moore, Dwayne Murphy, Karen Padbury, Andy
Parsons, Gwen and Dennis Patrick, Ed and Carol Pitts, Janina Radley, Jeanice Seals, Chuck Sharbaugh, Patrick Tomlinson, Stephen J.
Wagner, John Winebrenner, and Lisa Silvey for their assistance, company, and friendship throughout the count season.
Literature Cited
Bosler, Justin. 2009. Thirty-Sixth Annual Fall Diurnal Raptor Migration Study at Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Amherstburg,
Essex County, Ontario.
Cadman, D.M., D.A. Sutherland, G.G. Beck, D. LePage, A.R. Couturier, (eds), 2007.Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, 2001 2005.
Chartier, A. and D. Stimac. 2002. Hawks of Holiday Beach, Holiday Beach Migration Observatory, 2nd Edition.
HawkWatch International, 2009.Press Release: American Kestrels in Decline, (http://www.hawkwatch.org/news-and-events/presscenter/307-press-release-american-kestrels-in-decline), Salt Lake City, UT.
Kolbe, Steven, 2011. Thirty-Eight Annual Fall Migration Count at Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Amherstburg, Essex County,
Ontario, Canada
Pawlicki, James. 2010. Thirty-Seventh Annual Fall Migration Count at Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Amherstburg, Essex
County, Ontario, Canada.
Pepper, Todd R, 2012.Thirty-Ninth Annual Fall Migration Count at Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Amherstburg, Essex County,
Ontario, Canada.
Raptor Population Index, 2013. http://rpi-project.org/2013/graphs.php?rsite=100).
Russell, Robert W. 1991. Nocturnal Flight By Migrant “Diurnal” Raptors. Journal of Field Ornithology, 62(4):506-508.
Pittaway, Ron. 2013.Winter Finch Forecast 2013 - 2014, Ontario Field Ornithologists, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 21 September 2013.
HBMO 2013
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Page 8 of 11
Tables
Table 1. Season Raptor Totals for Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Amherstburg, Essex County, Ontario, Canada 1993-2013.
UR
Total
minus
BW &TV
Raptors
Per
Hour
Season
Total
1
11
14,084
154
104,440
0
0
38
12,126
79
50,069
3
0
0
140
24,830
139
101,964
0
0
1
0
40
17,484
102
71,766
108
0
2
0
0
27
21,018
129
83,151
36
30
0
0
0
0
13
7,584
89
37,719
1,611
108
95
0
0
0
0
53
23,721
116
73,460
63
2,113
122
114
0
3
0
0
40
19,257
102
62,652
56
74
2,035
117
57
0
0
0
0
110
19,185
120
68,693
2,771
64
42
1,369
63
15
0
0
0
0
231
11,277
115
53,872
7,009
3,523
26
35
2,214
70
59
0
2
0
0
31
17,971
89
49,559
457
4,887
4,964
108
66
1,969
94
61
0
0
0
0
88
16,972
69
43,669
48
802
44,310
5,573
37
85
2,538
70
35
0
1
0
0
17
24,875
171
101,371
396
16
836
17,240
4,864
39
102
2,197
61
35
0
1
0
0
35
18,840
87
54,329
14,216
487
23
463
60,804
4,934
92
134
2,643
78
63
0
0
0
0
179
24,729
160
103,917
1,214
13,740
355
29
631
50,746
5,900
51
28
1,986
77
49
0
1
0
0
141
24,436
152
93,741
64
980
15,719
365
47
1,042
31,375
6,927
97
50
2,894
93
48
0
0
0
0
174
28,666
139
77,950
107
27
356
10,778
480
23
414
107,877
7,016
72
77
1,952
47
50
0
1
0
0
95
21,495
230
147,047
16,461
173
52
1,176
15,344
755
59
825
22,381
10,987
170
79
4,884
120
82
0
0
0
0
56
34,762
92
73,604
760
19,391
92
36
1,469
10,338
498
17
859
49,830
8,854
69
87
3,337
51
54
0
0
0
0
100
25,861
125
95,082
759
14,227
110
48
1,616
13,914
973
74
1,667
72,428
6,534
71
63
3,196
75
50
0
2
0
0
236
28,629
152
115,284
Fall
Season
Observer
Hours
TV
OS
BE
NH
SS
CH
NG
RS
BW
RT
RL
GE
AK
ML
PG
BV
2013
680.25
41,727
76
395
434
6,578
628
7
727
48,629
3,805
41
90
1,143
96
43
1
7
1
2012
634.5
31,888
82
163
460
5,546
627
8
518
6,055
3,545
16
42
937
88
52
1
1
2011
734
33,703
204
201
947
13,073
1,063
15
539
43,431
3,405
28
119
4,874
137
81
1
2010
703
38,149
135
172
746
9,439
580
7
508
16,133
4,114
47
95
1,445
128
50
2009
645
43,841
94
168
686
9,703
942
28
1,096
18,292
6,162
26
93
1,761
122
2008
424
21,182
48
99
266
3,533
219
7
298
8,953
2,282
23
133
597
2007
636
31,339
186
175
1,280
12,389
730
16
509
18,400
6,470
20
79
2006
613
35,665
111
124
1,195
9,814
760
28
492
7,730
4,248
30
2005
572
41,543
86
119
807
9,528
773
48
645
7,965
4,730
2004
469
14,752
83
61
272
5,506
369
28
403
27,843
2003
559
24,579
96
83
1,065
9,705
554
48
460
2002
632
21,810
105
48
859
7,658
448
47
2001
593
32,186
101
54
750
14,280
484
2000
622
18,249
68
70
334
9,786
1999
650
18,384
79
62
1,276
1998
616
18,559
164
70
1997
561
17,909
166
1996
639
17,675
1995
798
1994
1993
!
HBMO 2013
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Page 9 of 11
SW MK GY
Table 2.
Comparison of 2013 Fall Raptor Count to Ten-Year (2003-2012) and Twenty-Year (1993-2012) Count Averages from Holiday
Beach Conservation Area, Amherstburg, Essex County, Ontario, Canada.
2010Percent
year(1993-2 Percent
year(2003-20
Species
2013
Species
2013
Change
Change
012)
12) Average
Average
Hours
680.25
599
14
Hours
680.25
631
8
TV
41,727
31,666
32
TV
41,727
25,575
63
OS
76
113
-33
OS
76
115
-34
BE
395
136
190
BE
395
95
318
NH
434
771
-44
NH
434
887
-51
SS
6,578
8,796
-25
SS
6,578
10,687
-38
CH
628
662
-5
CH
628
593
6
NG
7
23
-70
NG
7
31
-77
RS
727
547
30
RS
727
673
8
BW
48,629
16,082
202
BW
48,629
31,185
56
RT
3,805
4,125
-8
RT
3,805
5,390
-29
RL
41
34
22
RL
41
57
-28
GE
90
78
16
GE
90
77
16
AK
1,143
1,894
-40
AK
1,143
2,327
-51
ML
96
99
-3
ML
96
88
9
PG
43
66
-35
PG
43
59
-28
BV
1
0
N/A
BV
1
0
N/A
SW
7
1
N/A
SW
7
1
N/A
MK
1
0
N/A
MK
1
0
N/A
GY
1
0
N/A
GY
1
0
N/A
Total minus
TV and BW
Raptors
Per Hour
Total
14,084
17,418
-19
154
108
43
104,440
65,165
60
Total minus
TV and BW
Raptors
Per Hour
Total
!
HBMO 2013
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Page 10 of 11
14,084
21,172
-33
154
119
29
104,440
77,882
34
Appendix
Weather Side - HBMO Hourly Data Sheet
Raptor Species Side - HBMO Hourly Data Sheet
HBMO 2013
Pepper
Page 11 of 11