Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 09, 2005
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 3312 5629 5990
Osprey 6 32 350
Bald Eagle 30 67 269
Northern Harrier 79 238 731
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1361 2798 8790
Cooper's Hawk 61 156 308
Northern Goshawk 1 4 8
Red-shouldered Hawk 121 140 141
Broad-winged Hawk 7 16 34424
Red-tailed Hawk 783 929 1098
Rough-legged Hawk 1 1 1
Golden Eagle 4 5 5
American Kestrel 27 457 3872
Merlin 9 50 162
Peregrine Falcon 2 58 113
Unknown 2 18 93
Prairie Falcon 1 1 1
Total: 5807 10599 56356
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Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Ches Caister, Dave Brown
Observers: Alf Rider, Ches, Colin, Dave Brown, Keith Sealy,
Matt Oswald, Shay Redmond, Su Ross-Redmond, Tom T.
Visitors:
A pile of visitors today got to enjoy the great flight. It was especially
nice that many of the TV's moving through decided to kettle right over the
count site...providing some easy viewing for less experinced visitors. :)
Thanks to those who helped with the spotting birds for the official
counters....sorry we didn't get everyone's name today.
Please note that even though Su is done her stint at the count site for
this season...there is almost always someone at the site to do the raptor
counts...and they can always use another set of eyes to spot the birds.
Weather:
Well....today was the classic flight on strong NE winds and virtually NO
cloud cover for most of the day! There was never any set flight line or
height of flight making it a real challenge for the counters. Temp was
still fairly cool with a high of 16. Humidity was fairly low as well.
Raptor Observations:
One of the best days of hawkwatching this season with a total of 5807 birds
of all 15 of the typically possible species tallied!!
Highlights included 4 more Golden Eagles and 30 more Bald Eagles along
with a new 1-day record for TV's with 3,312 and the season's first
Rough-legged Hawk (Dark Morph). There was more excitement when the
official counter and several experienced observers noted a large falcon
passing by...and the dark axillars gave it away as a Prairie Falcon! Not
sure how many other records of this species there are for Ontario or in
particular for Elgin county. It's been recorded as part of the day's
count...but I'm hoping that those who saw it will submit a "Rare Bird
Report Form" online at the OFO website. Such information can be very
valuable to the records committee that reviews such sightings!
Unfortunately, we didn't get the Black Vulture that was spotted by Alan
Wormington at the Seacliff Hawkwatch near Pt Pelee. Too bad...as this
would've provided some useful flight info such as flight speed and
possible migration routes.
The HCF offers our many thanks to Su Redmond for another great job this
season with today being her last "official" day for 2005! Many of you
probably met Su in her role as the Hawk Cliff onsite interpreter and
counter for most of September and the first week of October. Thanks again
Su. :)
Non-raptor Observations:
Lots of good warblers seen today as well. Highlights were Golden-winged,
Pine, Balck-throated Blue and Green and Palm. Another good bird was the
Yellow-billed Cuckoo which landed right next to the counters for only a
few seconds before disappearing into the undergrowth (this bird was
spotted in flight by Alf Rider as it crossed the field in front of the
count site...good eyes Alf!!).
Also had a Common Raven, which is one of only a handful of records for
Elgin county. It's appears that this same bird was spotted at the Port
Burwell hawkwatch site, some 30km east of Hawk Cliff as well.
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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
