Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 04, 2008
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 3839 6828 7026
Osprey 1 9 209
Bald Eagle 21 54 198
Northern Harrier 7 118 430
Sharp-shinned Hawk 362 1025 5882
Cooper's Hawk 11 27 82
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 14 25 25
Broad-winged Hawk 6 12 100354
Red-tailed Hawk 20 45 51
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 68 1087 3507
Merlin 3 8 82
Peregrine Falcon 6 13 41
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 7
Unknown Buteo 1 1 2
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Mississippi Kite 0 0 1
Total: 4359 9252 117897
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Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Colin Horstead
Observers: Ches Caister, Dave Brown, Derek Lyon, Jason McGuire,
Jennifer Lyon, Jim Dunn, John Potticary, Mark Cunningham,
Su Ross-Redmond, Tim Foran
Visitors:
Gerald, Christien, Sherri Parnall, Geoff Parkin (T.O.), Bryce Bond (T.O.),
Diana & Dwayne Lunn, Al Linton (London), Dave cook & Marty Winegarden (Port
Stanley), James & Mimi Nielson (San Diego, California), Don Taves (London),
Jason & Angie McLeod (Union)
Weather:
Very light winds varying from NNW to W and finally SW late in the
afternoon. Temp to a high of 17C. Broken cloud from 5% to 80% coverage.
Raptor Observations:
An excellent flight today with 4359 birds total. The bulk of the flight was
made up of TV's (3839)....and provided some great kettles for counters and
visitors alike. A nice flight of Bald Eagles (21) with many
immatures...Sharpies (362), Peregrines (6), a few more Red-shoulders (14)
and some Broadwings (6). Of note was a bird recorded as an unidentified
Buteo seen in difficult light conditions and headed away...but a possible
Swainson's Hawk based on wing length and shape.
Non-raptor Observations:
The Blue Jay flight was continuous for the first 3 hours of the day...quite
amazing given how many large flights of this species have been occurring
over the past week or so. A Cuckoo (unsure what species) flew into the
trees just beside the count site...and then snuck away before a difinitive
ID could be made.
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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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