Migration Watch at Port Burwell PP September 21, 2003
Today, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 34 visitors and campers joined us at Port Burwell P.P. to count migrating hawks, passerines, butterflies and dragonflies.
520 hawks of 9 species were counted including 5 Bald Eagles, 3 Osprey, 225 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 19 American Kestrels, 14 Northern Harriers, 189 Broad-winged Hawks, 2 Merlin, 7 Red-tailed Hawks and 56 Turkey Vultures. One of the Merlins hung around and caught several dragonflies over a period of a couple of hours. Two kettles of Broad-wings formed close enough that most of the watchers go to see this thrilling aspect of hawk watching. Many of the watchers had never seen a Bald Eagle, so five in a couple of hours surely has converted them to hawk watchers.
The most impressive migration though was the constant stream of Blue Jays, many at tree height. Between 9 and 10 a.m., we counted over 3500 and the 5 hour count was just short of 5000. Our "official" Monarch count was 251 but many went uncounted because of the large numbers of hawks that kept everyone busy. Other passerine migrants included 5 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, 107 American Goldfinches, 7 Tree Swallows, and 15 American Pipits.
Among the gulls on the beach were a juvenile plumaged Little Gull and a 2nd year bird. The only shorebirds were a Black-bellied Plover and Lesser Yellowlegs.
The interpretive migration watch will be held for the next 3 Sundays including Oct 12 and one Sat [Sept 27] from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Port Burwell PP is on the Lake Erie shoreline west of Long Point and south of Tillsonburg at the east end of Elgin County. The migration watch is at parking lot # 5 in the day-use/beach portion of the park.
Cost: Park entry fee ($6.00) or use your Ontario Parks season's pass. Dave Martin, Ross Snider, Linda Wladarski, Terry Ricker Port Burwell, ON [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dave Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines. Dave Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
