Hi there, A small but mighty group of OFO members turned out for our Hawk Cliff to Port Stanley Fall Classic. I think the potential rain may have kept some birders closer to home.
At any rate we had a good mix of birds flying by at the Cliff aided by a strong Northeast wind. Good for birds but a bit chilly for mortals. Apparently a much stronger flight happened on Friday, isn't that typical, but as I said, a good migration, and quite varied. We remained at the Cliff from 9:30 to just after noon, but there were still birds moving through after we left. A more complete report of the migration could be found on the Hawk Cliff Migration Report for this date, which will likely be reported soon, as the counters would have been there longer than our field trip. Thankyou to the Hawk Cliff Counters for their help. Before we left, there were dozens of Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Red-tailed Hawks, a good number of Turkey Vultures, some 6 or so Bald Eagles, 6 Red-shouldered Hawk, 2 Rough-legged Hawks, a half dozen N. Harriers, singles of N. Goshawk, Merlin, Kestrel. We missed Golden Eagle but on such a day, one could have come by later. Non-raptors included large numbers of A. Crow, and various blackbirds. Yellow-rumped Warblers, and White-throated Sparrows were very abundant. Also seen in the woods along the road were Hermit Thrush, and a Pine Warbler. We noted about 6 loons coming from the northwest, and dropping towards the lake. Several large flocks of mergansers flew by, as well as a large group of scaup. We continued to Port Stanley, picking up a Peregrine as it flashed past. Gulls in the harbour included the usual and a few Great Black-backed and Bonaparte's Gulls. Two more Bald Eagles passed by as we ate Mackie orange-aid, and fries. There was a good movement along the lake of Red-breasted Mergansers. Later, at Port Stanley, we dropped in to Joe Hurst's place for Purple Finch, Carolina Wren, and a Blue-headed Vireo. Up at the sewage lagoons, north of town, we hit the species bonanza. The lagoons had many species of waterfowl, including a few Gadwall, N. Pintail, A. Widgeon, and Green-winged Teal, and many Ruddy Duck. Lots of Mallards and Shovellers were present. Also noted were Bufflehead, and a pair of Hooded Merganser. A few Lesser Scaup and a Redhead were also seen there. We had several shorebirds besides Killdeer, including Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpiper and probably about 4 Wilson's Snipe. A total of 76 species were noted by our participants. We all headed for home about 4 pm, hoping to warm up by various methods after a blustery cool but rewarding day. Thanks Ian and his son Gavin for helping to lead the trip, and to those who came out. Pete Read Directions Port Stanley is located on Lake Erie, at the south end of County Rd 4, south of St. Thomas. Hawk Cliff, is located off Dexter Drive (County Rd 24), about 3 km east of Port Stanley. Turn south onto Hawk Cliff Drive and park at the end of the road. Watch out, the cliff is steep and the edge of the cliff is a bit crumbly. Watch for migrating hawks flying across the road from east to west, anywhere along the road, depending on the wind conditions, but mostly in the last half km. Joe Hurst's home is on Lake Line, up the hill from road 20 in Port Stanley. Stop along the side of the road. You can watch for feeder species, coming to visit his vast array of feeders. For the sewage lagoons, continue west up the hill from there, on Lake Line, and turn right onto Scotch Line. The lagoons are about a km along Scotch Line, just after it turns to the west. There are two viewing towers.
