Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 21, 2006
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 43 43 43
Osprey 10 154 154
Bald Eagle 27 153 153
Northern Harrier 100 600 600
Sharp-shinned Hawk 524 3393 3393
Cooper's Hawk 14 55 55
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 23182 30088 30088
Red-tailed Hawk 2 62 62
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 325 3427 3427
Merlin 7 113 113
Peregrine Falcon 0 7 7
Unknown 23 23
Total: 24234 38118 38118
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Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 11 hours
Official Counter: Ches Caister, Colin Horstead
Observers: Alf Rider, Colin Horstead, Dave Brown, Derek Lyon,
Don Taylor, Jennifer Lyon, Mac McAlpine, Pete Read,
Tom Thomas
Visitors:
A lot of visitors today with 50 names in the guest book for the day...seems
a lot of folks played hookey from work when they saw the weather. :)
Weather:
A great day for weather with lighter winds (although too much from the W
and SW) that allowed better kettling of the Broadwings today. Temp was
cooler with a high of just 16C. Very little cloud early in the
day...basically had to rely on the jet contrails to provide the necessary
backdrop to find the Broadwings.
Raptor Observations:
Finally!! A really good flight for Broadwings with a total of 23182 tallied
(note: counting was done at both the primary "Cliff" site and starting
about midday at a secondary site approx. 4 km inland). Total count for the
day was 24234. There were some spectacular kettles, the largest which was
estimated at containing close to 1000 birds. Alhtough the odd Osprey,
Bald Eagle and Harrier was mixed in....no luck with anything unusual. For
some visitors this was the first time they'd been able to see large
kettles of Broadwings.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions:
Looking at rain possibly by Friday afternoon and SE winds...may get an
early flight with carry over from today...but not likely to be too big.
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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
