Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2007
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 251 269 511
Osprey 2 17 202
Bald Eagle 0 21 266
Northern Harrier 46 207 1439
Sharp-shinned Hawk 378 1581 11027
Cooper's Hawk 15 57 246
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 4 5
Broad-winged Hawk 1 2 41013
Red-tailed Hawk 10 10 61
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 178 375 4077
Merlin 5 25 217
Peregrine Falcon 3 101 131
Unknown 9
Total: 891 2669 59204
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Observation start time: 06:30:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Su Ross-Redmond
Observers: Dave Brown, Ernie Gribble, Maris Apse, Mark Cunningham,
Mary Carnahan, Ronnie Goodhand, Wayne Parnall
Visitors:
A few visitors again today.
Weather:
A cloudy start to the day with rain actually falling in areas to the north
of the hawkwatch. The cloud deck lifted a bit through the morning and then
cleared to mostly blue skies by noon or so. Temp was still warm today to a
high of 23 C even with the passage of a cold front that dropped across Lake
Erie early this morning. Winds were as predicted from the NW and
moderate...eventually backing to W by the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
A reasonably good flight today with a total of 891 birds tallied. A couple
of nice Red-shoulders today along with a single late Broadwing. First real
push of TV's today (at least past HAwk Cliff) with 251. More Peregrines
today with 3....the 3rd was the last bird of the day right along the cliff.
Also of note today were several adult Male Harriers, one which circled
directly overhead above the counters and provided a nice photo op.
Non-raptor Observations:
A pile of activity with passerines today. The trees and shrubs around the
counters were crawling with warblers, nuthatches, creepers, kinglets,
woodpeckers and so on. Some species seen included the following warblers:
Nashville, Black-throated Green, Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, Orange-crowned,
Myrtle (lots). Other species included Blue-headed Vireo, Brown Creeper,
White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (juv.)
and Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Predictions:
Wed. is calling for W winds and a small chance of rain...and Thur is
calling for rain...both days will likely see smaller flights. However, the
large low pressure system that will be crossing to the east of the lakes is
resulting in predicted NW winds for 5 straight days starting Friday!! If
these predicted winds hold, this could be very good timing for some larger
flights of Redtails and Red-shoudlers...and hopefully our first Golden
Eagles.
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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
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