Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 14, 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 1 89 89 Bald Eagle 0 94 94 Northern Harrier 9 415 415 Sharp-shinned Hawk 118 1214 1214 Cooper's Hawk 0 10 10 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 50 1001 1001 Red-tailed Hawk 14 51 51 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 6 1254 1254 Merlin 0 75 75 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2 Unknown 14 14 Total: 198 4219 4219 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 9 hours Official Counter: Dave Brown Observers: Colin Horstead, Keith Sealy, Tom Thomas Visitors: A few visitors today who were all a big help with spotting the birds. Weather: Drab overcast day with light N to NE winds and temp to 20C. At one point the clouds broke allowing a bit of sun through and immediately we had a couple of small kettles of Broadwings and Sharpies. Then the sun went back behind heavy cloud and the flight basically stopped dead. Raptor Observations: We did manage a respectible count today with a total of 198 birds including 50 Broadwings and 118 Sharpies. The interesting thing about today's flight was that it was a reverse migration from West to East....something we've hardly ever seen at the Hawk Cliff hawkwatch. Non-raptor Observations: Also very unusual was finding a pair of nesting Scarlet Tanager (yep...that's right...nesting!!) with at least one young (close to fledging by all appearances) visible on the nest through the scopes. Of course at this point the male has molted to be entirely green with black wings...talk about cutting it close for "late" nesting!! If anyone has any comments on such a late nesting or any other cases like this I'd like to hear them...just email me (Dave Brown) at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Predictions: Friday could be a VERY interesting day...with moderate to light NE to N winds and sun with cloud. We're approaching the peak date (Sept 17) for Broadwings to move through...and Friday certainly is shaping up to fit the bill...especially after bascially 4 days of wet crappy weather. ======================================================================== 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
