Holiday Beach Migration Observatory (HBMO) is seeking a volunteer hawk migration counter for the Fall Count Season (September 1-Novermber 30) conducted at Holiday Beach Conservation Area near Amherstburg, Ontario. The count is conducted atop a 40-foot wooden tower that affords a good view of the north shore of Lake Erie, the eastern horizon where the hawks are arriving, the northern and southern horizons where birds pass westward during migration. The site has hourly data beginning in 1974 to the present. National Audubon has noted this raptor count site is rated the third best in North America and first in Canada for viewing migrants. 

HBMO is proud of the programs it offers to the public and has had excellent full-time volunteer counters for several years. Many of them have continued to pursue graduate degrees in ornithology and obtain employment in rewarding careers. Fifty years of count data have been submitted to the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA) since its inception in 1974. General HBMO site information, data inventory, migration timing, and Raptor Population Index analysis may be viewed by using this link: http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=100. 

 The seasonal average for an individual species has varied in the last 50 years. The approximate numbers for each species that could be seen in the Season are: Turkey Vulture-50,000, Osprey-50, Bald Eagle-250, Northern Harrier-650, Sharp-shinned Hawk-7,000, Cooper's Hawk-350, American Goshawk-10, Red-shouldered Hawk-650, Broad-winged Hawk-25,000, Red-tailed Hawk-3,750, Rough-legged Hawk-25, Golden Eagle-60, American Kestrel-1,500, Merlin-100, and Peregrine Falcon-70. 

This is a seasonal volunteer opportunity for five hawk counting days per week (preferred) for 13 weeks (September 1 through November 30, 2024) for the fall migration. During the past nine years hawk counting ranged from 588 to 770 hours or an average of 7.5 hours/day with more in September (more daylight) and fewer in November (less daylight). A typical day of observation is from 7:00 AM EST and 4:00 PM EST. Qualified visitor observers can relieve the counter for short breaks. Daily data for hourly sheets is entered into the HMANA HawkCount.org database each evening. A year-end report (similar to previous reports) is due February 1, 2024. 

Essential Functions: 

• Daily identify and count migrating raptors passing by Holiday Beach Conservation Area Hawk Tower. 

• Maintain hourly data sheets including weather data and enter data into HawkCount.org after daily count ends and summarize in brief daily report

• Identify non-raptor migrants as time permits and submit daily count to eBird Canada. 

• Assist with writing the end-of-season summary report

• Work in collaboration with count volunteers 

• Interact with hawk watch site visitors and school groups 

• Participate in one weekend hawk festival in September and October 

Qualifications and Experience: 

• Must be a Canadian national or qualified to work in Canada. 

• Some experience or interest in Raptor identification. 

• Should be detail oriented; careful data collecting skills. 

• Ability to interact with the public and have excellent interpersonal skills. 

• Be an enthusiastic and motivated self-starter, a strong team player willing to learn 

• Be willing to work irregular hours under sometimes difficult field conditions. 

• Must be able to walk on uneven surfaces, climb multiple steep steps in 40-foot tower and carry 20-25 lbs. as necessary. 

• Willing or accustomed to working out of doors. 

• Must have their own vehicle, and a valid driver’s license. 

• No pets. 

Lodging can be provided at no cost to the volunteer in a person’s home about 15 Kilometres from the count site.

A requisite one-day workshop on or about August 31, 2024 is conducted to help refresh counter’s knowledge of raptor identification and to review protocols. Mentoring is provided throughout the season by experienced Hawk Watchers. 

Send PDF documents of: 

1. a cover letter outlining your qualifications, work experiences, and career goals, 

 2. a resume, and 

 3. three references (include email and phone numbers) of person(s) who can verify your suitability for the post 

 Send to Hugh Kent, HBMO Hawk Migration Co-Ordinator, hughnkent@gmail.com 519-259-2444. In the subject line write “HBMO Hawk Counter Position”. Closing date for applications AUGUST 9 , 2024. The position is open until filled.