Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 20, 2006
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 20 144 144
Bald Eagle 7 126 126
Northern Harrier 43 500 500
Sharp-shinned Hawk 266 2861 2861
Cooper's Hawk 7 41 41
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 5634 6906 6906
Red-tailed Hawk 0 59 59
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 1187 3082 3082
Merlin 16 104 104
Peregrine Falcon 0 6 6
Unknown 23 23
Total: 7180 13852 13852
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Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 11 hours
Official Counter: Dave Brown
Observers: Colin Horstead, Derek Lyon, Jennifer Lyon, Mac McAlpine,
Matt Oswald, Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Quite a few visitors today.
Weather:
A classic hawk watching day with very strong NW winds and cooler temp to
just 16C. Lots of cloud cover that finally started to clear at the end of
the day.
Raptor Observations:
An excellent flight today with a total of 7180 birds. The majority were
Broadwings with 5634...BUT the excitement for the day was a NEW 1-DAY
RECORD for KESTRELS with 1187 !! (was 895 from last year). This worked
out to 108 Kestrels per hour...and they were enjoyed by some 30 visitors
and observers. :)
Non-raptor Observations:
Quite a few warblers were still around with highlights being Orange-crowned
and a really nice male Prairie Warbler. For those who had read about the
Scarlet Tanager nest at the hawkwatch site...the young have fledged and
one was seen being fed on a branch nearby the nest.
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Report submitted by Dave Brown ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch information may be found at:
http://www.ezlink.on.ca/~thebrowns/HawkCliff/index.htm
Site Description:
Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch:
Oldest Hawkwatch in Ontario - since 1931 - located just east of Port
Stanley on the cliff overlooking Lake Erie
Directions to site:
>From east 401, take the Highbury south cut off at London, follow Highbury
(Hwy 30) south to St. Thomas. Highbury changes into South Edgeware at a
large curve in the road to the west. Follow South Edgeware west to the
first set of traffic lights - Burwell Road, turn left (south) and stay on
this road. It becomes Fairview Ave (Regional Road 22), which runs directly
into Hawk Cliff Road. You will see a sign for Hawkes Cliff Farm, where they
sell fresh vegetables and a gravel road just beyond sign. Just continue
down gravel road to viewing area.
>From west 401, take the Highway # 4 (Colonel Talbot Rd.) exit south,
through Talbotville, road now is Sunset Rd. continue towards St. Thomas;
you will come to a veer in the road, straight up to St. Thomas, veer to
the right for Port Stanley, follow Highway 4, now Sunset to Port Stanley.
As you approach Port Stanley you will come to a large curve in the road
with a sign saying East St, to the left. Take East St., and follow it to
the first road left, (opposite Port Stanley Water Tower) Dexter Line.
Follow Dexter Line approximately 2 km. and turn right down gravel road at
Hawkes Cliff Farm, and follow gravel road to viewing area
