Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 15, 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 10 83 84
Bald Eagle 3 42 44
Northern Harrier 14 65 65
Sharp-shinned Hawk 279 885 887
Cooper's Hawk 1 3 3
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 2343 2574 2582
Red-tailed Hawk 0 1 3
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 146 489 505
Merlin 1 27 27
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2
Unknown Accipiter 0 7 7
Unknown Buteo 0 1 1
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Mississippi Kite 0 1 1
Total: 2797 4180 4211
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 10 hours
Official Counter: Colin Horstead
Observers: Dave Brown, Dave Verkley, Derek Lyon, Ernie Gribble,
Jason McGuire, Jennifer Lyon, Jim Dunn, Mark Cunningham,
Mary Carnahan, Ronnie Goodhand, Wayne Parnall
Visitors:
Lots of visitors today...surprising given it was Monday. One couple was on
their way home to Quebec City...and we had a group of women from north of
Toronto....along with many others. Thanks to everyone that helped spot and
count the birds today.
Weather:
A strange day of weather...starting with rain...then drizzle...and finally
into low broke cloud mized with blue skies. Winds were steady moderate from
the NW for the day and the temp got to just 17C. The humidity finally
started to drop which helped get the flight going.
Raptor Observations:
Finally! A decent day for flying with our first good push of Broadwings
(2343)...providing visitors some great views of kettles (largest was about
150). The Sharpies (279) moved through in good numbers...and Kestrels (156)
were zipping by overhead under treetop height. This should be just the
start to some good flights this week given all the rain over the last few
days has certainly held up the birds to the east and north of this area.
Non-raptor Observations:
The passerines were moving in good numbers today...with many flights of
Goldfinch, a few of Killdeer and blackbirds. Lots of RT Hummingbirds again
today...and plenty of swallows in the sky as well. The Monarchs were
showing up in good numbers today (the butterfly taggers reported at least
350-400..along with a roost of over 100). The highlight for the morning was
an Olive-sided Flycatcher (posing nicely for photographs), good warblers in
the area with Blackburnian, Redstart, Chestnut-sided, Bay Breasted,
Nashville, Canada, BT Green, Magnolia and Palm...and several Chimney
Swifts, Tufted Titmouse, Nighthawks (4) and Common Loons (10), Warbling
Vireo, Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, GC flycatcher
Predictions:
Tuesday could be very good...with predicted N winds to start the day and
lots of sunshine. The rest of the week looks nice and suny but the wind may
not concentrate them down to the lake with S and SW predicted.
========================================================================
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
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
