Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 21, 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 375 14299 15367 Osprey 0 58 336 Bald Eagle 3 68 208 Northern Harrier 14 583 1397 Sharp-shinned Hawk 84 5924 13177 Cooper's Hawk 2 153 255 Northern Goshawk 0 5 6 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 186 197 Broad-winged Hawk 0 509 99105 Red-tailed Hawk 9 804 868 Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1 Golden Eagle 1 20 20 American Kestrel 1 871 4388 Merlin 1 36 176 Peregrine Falcon 0 28 80 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 491 23545 135581 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Colin Horstead Observers: Alf Rider, Jim Dunn, Kathy, Mary Carnahan, Michael Sandell, Ronnie Goodhand, Shay Redmond, Tom Stewart Visitors: A big thanks to all who counted and helped spot the birds today with such strange weather.....including Colin Horstead, Shay Redmond, Jim Dunn, Mary Carnahan, Kathy, Dave Verkley, Ronnie Goodhand, Tom Stewart and Michael Sandell (Oakville) who not only helped spot raptors but also managed to id the 4 Tree Swallows passing the hawkwatch. Weather: Started off with complete sunshine and few clouds...and then to nearly 100% cloud coverage. Wind was very light NW to start then went to moderate to strong W. Temp went from a low of 5C to 9C by 1:00 p.m. A storm basically came through at around this time and the temp dropped to 6C and it was a mix of rain and hail. Raptor Observations: The total raptors tallied today was 491...with TV's (375), Sharpies (84), Harriers (14) and just 10 buteos. The highlight today was a Golden Eagle just as the hail hit. This bird struggled to continue westward and disaappeared from view still flying but very low. The Osprey that's been hanging around is certainly putting on a fishing display with 3 fish caught today! Non-raptor Observations: Early birders at Hawk Cliff enjoyed a great view of a PILEATED WOODPECKER early this morning. Others spotted an EASTERN MEADOWLARK, COMMON LOON, CEDAR WAXWINGs (including a couple of juveniles), and large flocks of migrating AM. CROWS. Michael Sandell initially spotted 4 TREE SWALLOWS that then passed the counters. As far as we're aware this is the latest fall sighting for the Hawk Cliff hawkwatch and possibly for Elgin County as well?? Predictions: Another day of strange weather possibly on tap for Friday. If we're lucky, most of the wet (and possibly snowy) weather will have moved off to the east by daybreak...and predictions are for clearing skies and strong W winds. If the air dries out there'll be at least some sort of flight...but if not the birds will likely stay put. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Brown (thebro...@ezlink.on.ca) Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch information may be found at: http://www.ezlink.on.ca/~thebrowns/HawkCliff/index.htm _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/