Holiday Beach Migration Observatory

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Holiday Beach Migration Observatory https://www.ibacanada.ca/site.jsp?siteID=ON034

HBMO is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to the study and long-term monitoring of migratory bird populations in the vincity of Holiday Beach Conservation Area. HBMO is headquartered at the Holiday Beach Conservation Area (HBCA) in the Big Creek Marsh watershed at the west end of Lake Erie. This internationally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) is managed by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). Holiday Beach is ranked as the top hawk watching site in Canada by Audubon Magazine, and the third best in all of North America. Join Holiday Beach Migration Observatory’s experts on the hawk viewing tower every day from September through November.

‼️EXTRAORDINARY MIGRATION ‼️SEE YOU TOMORROW!!!Official Counter: Paul GosselinObservers: Alessandra Kite, Cameron Cheval...
10/18/2026

‼️EXTRAORDINARY MIGRATION ‼️
SEE YOU TOMORROW!!!

Official Counter: Paul Gosselin
Observers: Alessandra Kite, Cameron Chevalier, Chad Cornish, Chuck Sharbaugh, Corinne Allsop, Daniel Lee, Jaron Wilkinson, Kiah Jasper, Kit McCann, Kory Renaud, Matt Brannagan, Michael Arthurs, Mike Jaber, Noel Herdman, Robin Smallwood
Weather:
A chilly and clear start on the tower at 7.9C, with northern winds gusting right through us; many would run back down the stairs to grab more clothing. Eventually the sun warmed us up, and the wind eventually made it around to SSW by the end of the day.
Raptor Observations:
Sharp-shinned Hawks wasted no time in getting up and moving early (371), but Turkey Vultures would eventually run away with the trophy; 8939 of these dihedral dynamos would stream past the tower all day (a new sport, the Turkey Vulture Counter Relay was created today). American Kestrels made a late surge, and a sneaky Merlin chose to fly very close when all cameras were packed away. The star of the show, however, was our first Golden Eagle spotted at 10:05am, with good looks had by all from the tower.
Visitors:
Several visitors braved the chilly conditions to see the wonders of migration, including Craig and Nicole. A huge thank you to the large cast of all-stars who showed up to help with the count: Paul, Kiah, Cam, Chad, Noel, Alissandra, Jaron, Daniel, Michael A., Kit, Corrine, Chuck, Robin, Matt, Kory, Mike J.
Non-raptor Observations:
74 species – 13,853 individuals
MONARCH – 1
A good variety of ducks on the marsh today, and American Pelicans provided great entertainment all day with their tight aerial formations. Five Red-throated Loons were spotted over Lake Erie, and two White-winged Crossbills were seen and heard chattering away over the tower - a first for Essex this season. The ebird list can be found here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S403204100
Predictions:
Tomorrow's forecast for Hawktoberfest calls for a little more warmth, sunshine, and gusty southwest winds. With less than ideal wind direction, a good showing of raptors will be hoped for regardless.
Hourly count at: https://hawkcount.org/day_summary.php?rsite=100&ryear=2026&rmonth=10&rday=17

HAWK TOWER COUNT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL NOVEMBER 30TH
Please support HBMO https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/holiday-beach-migration-observatory/
📸 Paul Gosselin. Thank you 😊

‼️WHAT A DAY!!!‼️FROM THE TOWER Thank you Paul Gosselin.
10/18/2026

‼️WHAT A DAY!!!‼️
FROM THE TOWER
Thank you Paul Gosselin.

‼️WOW! FIRST GOLDEN EAGLE‼️SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR HAWKTOBERFEST!From Kiah Jasper. Thank you
10/17/2026

‼️WOW! FIRST GOLDEN EAGLE‼️
SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR HAWKTOBERFEST!
From Kiah Jasper.
Thank you

GREAT DAY AT LAKE STATION ‼️HAWKTOBERFEST‼️is TOMORROW!Bob Hall-Brooks and Tim Jarrold banded 2 adult males Cooper’s Haw...
10/17/2026

GREAT DAY AT LAKE STATION
‼️HAWKTOBERFEST‼️is TOMORROW!
Bob Hall-Brooks and Tim Jarrold banded 2 adult males Cooper’s Hawks and one Adult Red-tailed Hawk.
Bob alone decided to stay longer today, and banded 3 more Red-tailed Hawks. One young Red-tailed Hawk weight 1,234g
Total- 6 raptors
All birds are handled by trained professionals with permits and released unharmed.
📸 Tim Jarrold. Bob Hall-Brooks Thank you.

ANOTHER GREAT DAY ON THE TOWER!Official Counter: Michael Burton-SmithObservers: Bob Hall-Brooks, Hugh Kent, Kiah Jasper,...
10/16/2026

ANOTHER GREAT DAY ON THE TOWER!

Official Counter: Michael Burton-Smith
Observers: Bob Hall-Brooks, Hugh Kent, Kiah Jasper, Liz Kent, Mike Jaber, Noel Herdman, Paul Gosselin, Robin Smallwood
Weather:
Very overcast throughout the day with modest westerlies and temperatures hovering in the mid-teens. Dark clouds loomed over the west for most of the afternoon until the heavens finally opened around 1400 EST, cutting the count short.
Raptor Observations:
Other than a busy first two hours as the Turkey Vultures woke up and set out across the Detroit River, the day went fairly well to script for the raptors. Northern Harriers and Sharp-shinned Hawks passed through at a fairly steady pace through the morning, with the occasional Turkey Vulture flying over the northern edge of the marsh. A close flyby of an immature Peregrine was the day's raptor highlight.
Non-raptor Observations:
71 species – 4,984 individuals
The day's checklist can be viewed at https://ebird.org/checklist/S402855258.
What a day for mid-October! With 71 species recorded, we were kept busy even when the raptors were slow. Two runaway highlights were a flyover Western Cattle Egret close to the tower, and an adorable Northern Saw-whet Owl whose cryptic roost was given away by the alarm calls of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Also of note was a very large passage of American Robin (1593), the highest single-day count in HBMO history, and a reasonable movement of Lesser Yellowlegs (50). On the other hand, some things were notable in their absence. Duck numbers are well down over the past few days, especially Ring-necked Duck and Gadwall. The hedges around the tower are no longer soundtracked by meowing Catbird, mixed warbler flocks no longer pick at dogwood berries, and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds no longer battle on the feeder. As George R. R. Martin infamously declared, winter is coming!
Visitors:
Thanks to Kiah, Noel, Mike, Hugh, Liz, Bob, Robin and Paul for helping conduct today's count and for keeping spirits high in spite of the dreary conditions! It was also lovely to be visited by Fred, John and Nate.
Predictions:
Clearing skies into the night coupled with northerly winds make for great nocturnal migration conditions, so keep an eye open for new sparrows in the park and new waterfowl on the marsh tomorrow. During the day, moderate northerly winds and clear skies overhead create plenty of potential for armadas of Turkey Vultures and other soaring raptors, so keep looking up!
Hourly count at: https://hawkcount.org/day_summary.php?rsite=100&ryear=2026&rmonth=10&rday=16

HAWK TOWER COUNT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL NOVEMBER 30TH
Please support HBMO https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/holiday-beach-migration-observatory/

‼️WESTERN CATTLE EGRET!‼️You just never know what you will see on the tower.ON THE TOWER TODAY Thank you Kiah JasperHAWK...
10/16/2026

‼️WESTERN CATTLE EGRET!‼️
You just never know what you will see on the tower.
ON THE TOWER TODAY
Thank you Kiah Jasper

HAWKTOBERFEST IS THIS SUNDAY!

LAKE STATION Bob Hall-Brooks reported seeing only two raptors today and managed to band one of them.Gorgeous young femal...
10/16/2026

LAKE STATION
Bob Hall-Brooks reported seeing only two raptors today and managed to band one of them.
Gorgeous young female Cooper’s Hawk

All birds are handled by trained professionals with permits and released unharmed.
📸 Bob Hall-Brooks. Thank you.

🦅ANOTHER GREAT DAY ON THE TOWER!🦅12 Species – 3,415 raptors Official Counter: Michael Burton-SmithObservers: David Whar...
10/15/2026

🦅ANOTHER GREAT DAY ON THE TOWER!🦅
12 Species – 3,415 raptors

Official Counter: Michael Burton-Smith
Observers: David Wharton, Juliette Herdman, Mike Jaber, Noel Herdman, Paul Gosselin, Peter Veighey, Robin Smallwood, Stephen Courtney, Wade Carlton
Weather:
A modest northerly continued throughout the morning, switching to a south-easterly in the afternoon. Mainly cloudy skies, with some sunny patches around midday.
Raptor Observations:
Cooper's Hawks were the big talking point today, with our highest count for the season so far. There were several good movements of Turkey Vultures both in the mid-morning and in the mid-afternoon, with the usual lunchtime lull in between. It has been nice to see a continued trickle of Red-tailed Hawks, as well as a few fantastic Red-shouldered Hawks, including one perched with the cormorants in the early afternoon!
Non-raptor Observations:
54 Species – 12,171 individuals
MONARCHS - 0
The day's checklist can be viewed at https://ebird.org/checklist/S402606646
Looking out over the lake is getting more and more rewarding, with a very exciting Black Scoter seen flying in the afternoon along with several scaup and a Common Loon. This is the fifth time a Black Scoter has been recorded as part of the HBMO hawk count. On the marsh, dabbling ducks and Ring-necked Ducks continue to show in good numbers, as well as great views of a first-year Lesser Black-backed Gull flying with Ring-billed Gulls of various ages, allowing for a great comparison between the two species. The Muskrat couple were busily feeding in the late afternoon, giving our best views of them this season.
Visitors:
Thanks to Noel, Mike, Wade, Peter, Steve, David, Paul and Robin for your help on the tower today, and to Emily and her wonderful first and second grade classes who came up with lots of questions about all the birds!
Predictions:
While tomorrow probably won't break any records, the slight northerly component to the westerly winds may bring in some raptors as the day progresses. Turkey Vultures will likely pass by in dribs and drabs, and cloudy skies can correspond with a bit more activity from our falcons and Northern Harriers. If you do join us tomorrow or over the weekend, keep an eye out for Dark-eyed Juncos on the trails and in the parking lot.
Hourly count at: https://hawkcount.org/day_summary.php?rsite=100&ryear=2026&rmonth=10&rday=15

HAWK TOWER COUNT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL NOVEMBER 30TH
Please support HBMO https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/holiday-beach-migration-observatory/

LAKE STATION with Bob Hall-Brooks, Tim Jarrold, Chip Ogglesby and Ron Delcourt. Banded 3 raptors. 1 - young Red-tailed...
10/15/2026

LAKE STATION with Bob Hall-Brooks, Tim Jarrold, Chip Ogglesby and Ron Delcourt.
Banded 3 raptors.
1 - young Red-tailed Hawk
2 - young female Copper’s Hawk

All birds are handled by trained professionals with permits and released unharmed.

📸 Chip Ogglesby. Thank you.

Address

66 Richmond Street , PO Box 92
Amherstburg, ON
N9V2Z3

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