[Ontbirds] HSR: Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch (20 Nov 2011) 99 Raptors
Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 20, 2011 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 5632 38651 Osprey 0 0190 Bald Eagle 0 12206 Northern Harrier11105 1214 Sharp-shinned Hawk 4151 13230 Cooper's Hawk4 39448 Northern Goshawk 2 10 31 Red-shouldered Hawk 4292940 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 73020 Red-tailed Hawk 68 2442 4437 Rough-legged Hawk0 16 25 Golden Eagle 1 59206 American Kestrel 0 3 5090 Merlin 0 2151 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 39 Unknown Accipiter0 0 0 Unknown Buteo0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1 Total: 99 3764 137879 -- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours Official Counter:Dave Brown Observers:Colin Horstead, Jim Dunn, Kathy, Keith Sealy, Mary Carnahan, Paul Brown, Tom Stewart Visitors: Thanks to all of today's crew ...Dave B, Paul B, Colin, Jim, Keith, Mary, Kathy, Tom S and BJH. Weather: A cloudy start to the day...with the sun eventually breaking through and patches of blue to our north and northwest. Winds were strong from the NW for the entire day. Temps were actually warmer in the morning starting out at 11C and then dropping through the day to a low of 6C. Raptor Observations: It was a slower day than we'd hoped...especially given the good winds and mix of sun and cloud. Total birds tallied today was 99. The bulk of today's flight was Redtails (68)...along with Red-shoulders (4), a couple of N. Goshawks, Sharpies (4), Cooper's Hawks (4) and N. Harriers (11) including several males. The only Golden Eagle of the day appeared just after 1:00 p.m. to the east of the hawkwatch... gaining height quickly and angling directly into the NW wind before crossing the road to our north. it was an immature looking bird with distinct pale bars across its upperwings with small white patches still visible in the underside of the wings and a yellow-white band across the tail deck. Non-raptor Observations: Today's non-raptor highlights were found mainly at the B&B starting with an early flock of about 20 White-winged Crossbills which flew across the field and landed in the spruces behind the hawkwatchers where they rested for a few minutes providing enough time for closer insepction using a spotting scope. This is a new sighting for Hawk Cliffers for this season. Throughout the day flocks of American Pipits, Horned Larks and Eastern Bluebirds provided additional entertainment, while the after lunch highlight was a very large (~ 300) flock of Snow Geese including many Blue Morphs which flew across the field from the northeast headed southwest towards the lake. The flock was spotted at quite a distance, giving all observers plenty of time to watch the birds make their way across the sky. Also of note, a Woolly Bear was found basking on the roadside at the B&B just before noon, which was definitely the warmest part of the day, as temperatures became noticeably chilly later on. 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 birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
[Ontbirds] Niagara River Gulls
Today Ken Cohen and I had 8 species of gulls along the Niagara River including a Little Gull at Lewiston, Thayers and Iceland Gulls at Adam Beck, and 4 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls above the Falls, 2 on the breakwall and 2 on the shoal in the river. Bill Broderick Youngstown, New York ___ 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/
[Ontbirds] Barrow Goldeneye, Little Gulls and Tundra Swans Prince Edward County
Today Andrew Keaveney and myself followed my usual botulism survey route along the sw shore of Prince Edward County Highlight: Barrow's Goldeneye (female) Sandbanks Provincial Park Dunes day use area Found in a mixed Goldeneye/Scaup flock in West Lake Little Gulls 17 11 in East Lake 6 in West Lake at Sandbanks Provincial Park Dunes day use area In both locations, most of the Little Gulls were observed attending small rafts of Red-breasted Mergansers. Other highlights: 14 Tundra Swans flying northward in the Point Petre area 2 Eastern Bluebirds Point Petre area 9 Turkey Vultures at Sandbanks Provincial Park Outlet Beach area. 7 Sanderlings Point Petre 1 Red-Throated Loon Point Petre 4 Common Ravens (2 at Consecon, 1 at Outlet Beach, 1 at Point Petre) Several Pine Siskins with goldfinches in the Sandbanks Provincial Park Richardson's Campground Botulism results: Only 3 fresh dead loons and a Great Black-backed Gull. in 7 km surveyed. Directions: Sandbanks Provincial Park Dunes day use area -from 33 in Bloomfield follow Cty rd 12 south to the provincial park day use area in the sw corner of West Lake Sandbanks Provincial Park Richardson's Campground Follow Cty rd 12 west past the dunes day use area.. Go straight at a 4 way stop onto Lakeshore lodge Road. The campground is approximately 500m ahead on the right hand side. Sandbanks Provinical park Outlet beach/east lake area- take cty rd 18 west from cty rd 12 or Cty rd 10 south from 33 at Picton then right onto cty 11(follow park signs) Point Petre -Cty rd 10 from south from Picton then cty 24 which ends at the point. Tyler Hoar ___ 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/
[Ontbirds] Presqu'ile Pr.Pk.: Purple Sandpiper
Hi Ontbirders There were 3 Purple Sandpiper present on Gull/Sebastopol Island today. Also, 1 White-rumped Sandpiper, 3 Black-bellied Plover, 8 Sanderling and 15+ Dunlin. The long staying male Eurasian Wigeon was still present off the Camp Office viewing platform, 1 Northern Shrike was seen at the Calf Pasture, 20+ Snow Geese flew over Beach 1 and 1 Red-throated Loon was seen off Salt Point. Yesterday while birding at Prince Edward Point we observed 3 Harlequin Ducks (2 adult male) off the point. Also observed 1 Red-throated Loon, 3 Northern Shrike and 12 Eastern Bluebird. Good Birding, Bruce Directions: Courtesy Fred Helleiner: To reach Presqu'ile Provincial Park, follow the signs from Brighton. Locations within the Park are shown on a map at the back of a tabloid that is available at the Park gate. Visitors to Gull Island not using a boat should be prepared to wade through shin-deep water in which there is often a swift current and a substrate that is somewhat uneven and slippery. It should also be noted that, because duck hunting is given priority on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Gull Island, High Bluff Island, Owen Point, and part of the calf pasture are not available for bird-watching on those days. Birders are encouraged to record their observations on the bird sightings board provided near the campground office by The Friends of Presqu'ile Park and to fill out a rare bird report for species not listed there. Directions: Prince Edward Point. Take exit 566 (Marysville) off the 401 and go south on County Road 49 to Picton. Take County Rd. 8 to County Rd. 17 to County Rd. 16 to County Rd. 13. Follow County Rd. 13 to the end until you reach the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area. There is now a gate near the tip by the harbour. You can no longer drive to the lighthouse but have to park by the gate and walk. The lighthouse is at the very tip of the point. Di Labio Birding Website Courses and Field Trips http://www.dilabiobirding.ca http://www.brucedilabio.blogspot.com Bruce Di Labio 400 Donald B. Munro Drive P.O. Box 538 Carp, Ontario K0A 1L0 Office 613-839-4395 Cell 613-715-2571 ___ 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/
[Ontbirds] Razorbill, Pomarine Jaeger, Parasitic Jagers - Niagara-on-the-Lake
This morning Erika Hentsch and myself decided to go birding down in the Niagara Region. The RAZORBILL was seen by many observers today at the mouth of the Niagara River. We last saw the bird at about 2:30pm when we left. Also in the area: POMARINE JAEGER - 1 Adult dark morph. PARASITIC JAEGERS - 2 juvs. 1 dark & 1 intermediate morph. RED-THROATED LOONS - hundreds throughout the day. SURF, BLACK and WHITE-WINGED SCOTORS - several out on the water. Someone also reported a juv. SABINE'S GULL which we missed. Also there are lots of gulls along the river now. Including 2 THAYER'S , 2 ICELAND, 1 GLAUCOUS, 1 LESSER BLACK- BACKED GULL at the Adam Beck lookout and a juv. LITTLE GULL at the Queenston boat ramp. Good birding, Brett Fried Ayr, Ontario Directions (from previous posts): *Niagara-on-the-Lake* >From the QEW, travel east towards Niagara. Take the 38B Glendale/Regional Road >89 exit, and turn right on Taylor Road. Head west, parallel to the highway, >until Taylor Road turns right and crosses the highway. At this point it is >called Niagara Stone Road. Follow Niagara Stone Road into Niagara-on-the-lake. At this point, the road will now be known as Mississauga Street. Turn right on Queen St, and then the third left onto Victoria Street. Turn right onto Front Street and the Queen's Royal Park will be on the left. This spot has a pretty good view of the river mouth. *Adam Beck Overlook* Adam Beck overlook is on the south side of the OntarioHydro power plant and directly across from the NY Robert Moses Power Plant, accessed from River Road (also known as the Niagara Parkway), just to the south of Queenston. *Queenston* >From the Niagara bound QEW, exit Stanley Avenue. Turn left and at the stop/yield sign, turn right onto Portage Road. Drive along Portage Road until the traffic circle at Queenston Heights and head down the escarpment on the Niagara Parkway. Once below the escarpment, continue along the parkway and turn right onto Dumfries Street. Cross Princess Street to enter the parking area for the Queenston boat ramp parking lot. Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network. Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell. ___ 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/
[Ontbirds] HSR: DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark (20 Nov 2011) 104 Raptors
DRHW- Lake Erie Metropark Brownstown, Michigan, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 20, 2011 --- SpeciesDay's CountMonth Total Season Total -- --- -- -- Black Vulture0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 13 1209 52643 Osprey 0 0 85 Bald Eagle 6 32212 Northern Harrier 4 29253 Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 90 5324 Cooper's Hawk6 76727 Northern Goshawk 1 8 19 Red-shouldered Hawk 23197401 Broad-winged Hawk0 0 195858 Swainson's Hawk 0 0 5 Red-tailed Hawk 47 1555 3391 Rough-legged Hawk0 9 17 Golden Eagle 0 57152 American Kestrel 0 2664 Merlin 0 1 21 Peregrine Falcon 0 3 21 Unknown Accipiter0 4 60 Unknown Buteo0 18 59 Unknown Falcon 0 2 5 Unknown Eagle0 0 2 Unknown Raptor 0 13 37 Total: 104 3305 259956 -- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter:Jonathan Stein Observers:Andrew Sturgess, Don Sherwood, Patrick Mulawa, Rodney Laura Visitors: Jack Kirby, Bev Kirby, Miriam Seaver and Gustav Stadler all stopped by. Richard Naber was great company throughout. Weather: Cloud cover was total. Not a spot of blue to be seen just about all day. The wind was moderate and out of the west, shifting northwest and increasing in strength in the afternoon. Raptor Observations: A highly productive late November red-shouldered hawk flight brought us to over 400 on the season. Also, it was another very nice bald eagle day with several good looking adults making their way past. Non-raptor Observations: We increased our common loon floating on the lake sightings by 100 percent since yesterday. Today, there were two loons seen, not a mere one. A large flock of red-winged blackbirds (500+) flew past the stacks during the 12 o'clock hour. American crows were noticeably abundant as well. More than 1,500 crows, in three separate groups, moved on through the viewing area in the afternoon. Predictions: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. Expect temperatures to remain in the 40s. Winds will be moderate (5-15 mph) and out of the east. Not looking so hot. We'll see how it goes. Report submitted by Jonathan Stein (jonathanjst...@gmail.com) SMRR- Lake Erie Metropark information may be found at: http://www.drhawkwatch.org Site Description: The primary site used by the Detroit River Hawk Watch (a joint venture of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and it's Friends group, the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance) is the Boat Launch at Lake Erie Metropark located approximately 20 miles south of Detroit, Michigan. A secondary site, the Headquarters of Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is used during certain wind conditions. When staffing is available, both sites can be used at the same time. The season begins on the first day of September and concludes on the final day of November. For details and directions, log on to www.drhawkwatch.org Directions to site: Lake Erie Metropark: >From I-75, exit at Huron River Drive (exit 27). Continue east on Huron River Drive. Turn left on West Jefferson and proceed a few hundred yards to the entrance of Lake Erie Metropark. After paying the entrance fee, follow the signs to the Boat Launch. ___ 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/
[Ontbirds] Imm. Golden Eagle, near Gananoque
This evening at sunset I watched an immature Golden eagle circle southward over my farm, approximately five miles north east of Gananoque. Also an immature and adult male northern harrier hunted in the area during the day. John Haig Gananoque, ON ___ 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/
[Ontbirds] LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL in MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
Hello Birders. Pete chapman found an Ad. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL down Cairngorm Rd this morning in Middlesex County. Photos were taken. Good Birding. Alf. ___ 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/
[Ontbirds] Tunda Swans and Wild Turkeys
Yesterday about 12 o'clock there was a flock of about 50 Tundra Swans in a harvested bean field just North of the Townsend Sewage Lagoons. Might have been the same birds were on a flooded quarry by Hagersville later in the afternoon. On the way back from Port Dover on Cockshutt road two flocks of Wild Turkeys were seen in an oak woods by the road. A flock of females numbered 60 plus. Very close to them and intermingled was a flock of about 25 Gobblers. Richard Hardman ___ 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/
[Ontbirds] Franklin's Gull just south of Sir Adam Beck, Niagara Falls
A 1st winter Franklin's Gull was discovered/re-found on the rocks just south of the Sir Adam Beck Generating Station and north of the Horticultural School/butterfly Exibit today at 11:15am. This is the location on the river underneath the power lines that cross over the gorge and just where the wooden gard rail begins along the asphalt path. Look down into the gorge to see hundreds of Bonaparts Gulls and many Herring gulls also at this location. This is the same place the Mew Gull, Common Gull were being seen last year. The bird eventually flew upstream in the direction of the generationg station at about 11:30am. Mark Ansell 87 Marilake Drive Scarborough,Ontario M1S 1V8 loonadd...@hotmail.com 416-298-4652 ___ 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/
[Ontbirds] Red-throated Loon, Ottawa
The tremendous fall for Red-throated Loons continues, with an adult off Andrew Hayden Park this morning. Andrew Hayden Park is located at the corner of Carling Avenue and Holy Acres Road in the west end of Ottawa. Mark GawnOttawa, Ontario, Canada ___ 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/
[Ontbirds] Sandhill cranes on south Bruce Peninsula
At 11:00 a.m. on Sunday November 20, there were 469 Sandhill cranes in a flooded field northwest of the junction of highway 21 and highway 10, just north of Alvanley, farm address 018070. Submitted by Matthew and Anthony Vanderheyden. ___ 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/
