Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 17, 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 16 108 108 Bald Eagle 5 103 103 Northern Harrier 2 436 436 Sharp-shinned Hawk 30 1753 1753 Cooper's Hawk 0 26 26 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 1122 1122 Red-tailed Hawk 0 55 55 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 58 1400 1400 Merlin 5 80 80 Peregrine Falcon 0 4 4 Unknown 14 14 Total: 116 5101 5101 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 18:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: Dave Brown Observers: Colin Horstead, Eleanor, Jason McGuire, Keith Sealy Visitors: Lots....with some visitors from the U.S. and from overseas. Our 2nd Hawk Cliff Weekend was another big success with some really nice weather for visitors ...although too nice to get the hawks really moving :) Weather: Very foggy and then hazy ...eventually opening up to a bit of sunshine...but winds were strong from the S and SW which was not very good for a big Broadwing flight ...at least not in the area of the hawkwatch. We even had a few observers travel north to try and determine if there was any kind of a large Broadwing flight...but to no avail. Hopefully, the strong cold front passing through will get things going for mid-week. Raptor Observations: A slow day today with just 116 raptors counted. However, a decent flight of Osprey with 16...almost every one right at the cliff riding the nice updraft created by the strong S and SW winds. Non-raptor Observations: The tanager nestlings have now fledged and the parents were observed feeding one of the young on a branch near the nest. Predictions: Monday's going to be a bit too wet but clearing Tuesday and especially strong NW winds predicted for Wednesday might mean a big flight over the next couple of days. ======================================================================== 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
