Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 12, 2011
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 2
Osprey 13 57 72
Bald Eagle 0 12 12
Northern Harrier 31 155 188
Sharp-shinned Hawk 13 1982 2015
Cooper's Hawk 0 19 19
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 1 272 305
Red-tailed Hawk 0 1 4
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 113 1023 1121
Merlin 0 14 24
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1
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: 171 3536 3763
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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: Jim Dunn, Kathy, Keith Sealy, Mary Carnahan,
Ronnie Goodhand
Visitors:
There were a couple of visitors down today...and thanks to Colin, Ronnie,
Jim, Kathy, Mary and Keith for doing today's count. Also good to see Bruce
Parker down today with his helpers Erin and Lisa attempting to catch and
tag Monarchs.
Weather:
Another weird weather day today...not a cloud in the sky to begin for 3
hours...then very low cloud moved in for almost total coverage for 5 hours
and then back to not a cloud for the last hour. Winds built up to from
light to moderate SW as predicted...and temp ranged from 19C to 23C. The
pressure was fairly steady.
Raptor Observations:
The species observed today were (as expected) mostly Osprey (13), Harriers
(31) and Kestrels (113)...along with Sharpies (13) and a lone Broadwing.
Total for the day was 171. Most of these birds were observed crusiing
along the cliff or just inside of it slightly. Observers had to keep a
watch right down at the cliff with many of the Kestrels flying just below
the cliff edge making them invisible to those counting up at the knoll.
Non-raptor Observations:
Although things were pretty quiet non-raptorwise observers found a few
species of note including a Swainson's Thrush, a Belted Kingfisher, small
flocks of Tree Swallows. Cedar Waxwings were keeping a low profile today
but a few were found in the woods along with 4 Warbler species including
Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Black & White and A. Redstart. A number of
Northern Flickers were very active today and in several different locations
from cliffside to the ravine. Black-capped Chickadees were also abundant,
busy and very vocal again today.
This afternoon, many species of insect were noted, including the following
butterflies which were in abundance: Eastern Tailed Blue, Monarch, Common
Buckeye, Cabbage White. Less abundant but still easily found were Orange
Sulphur, and Summer Azure. A single Viceroy was seen as well as a
Juvenal's Duskywing. Squadrons of large dragonflies patrolled the fields
with the predominant species being Black Saddlebags. The best insect
sighting today was a Cicada perched low in weeds along the roadside -- we
often hear them, but rarely see one so easily!
Predictions:
Another unstable airmass is predicted for tomorrow with moderate SW
winds...so the flight will likely be much the same as today.
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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
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ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
