Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 15, 2006
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 5429 13953 15044
Osprey 5 53 270
Bald Eagle 5 74 289
Northern Harrier 12 381 1332
Sharp-shinned Hawk 298 3213 8872
Cooper's Hawk 19 183 335
Northern Goshawk 1 17 25
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 34 41
Broad-winged Hawk 0 1095 43080
Red-tailed Hawk 38 762 894
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 2 2 2
American Kestrel 22 596 4994
Merlin 4 23 209
Peregrine Falcon 0 21 98
Unknown 5 30
Swainson's Hawk 1 1 1
Total: 5836 20413 75516
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Dave Brown
Observers: Alf Rider, Colin Horstead, Derek Lyon, Jason McGuire,
Jennifer Lyon, Keith Sealy, Mac McAlpine, Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Lots of visitors today and many of the usual suspects to help with the
count. Thanks to Tony and Dave from Brampton...and to I believe Mary
(hope I got the right name) who served up the wonderful cookies for
everyone today.
Weather:
A beautiful day but unfortunately, the cloud cover was very sparse and the
wind was moderate from the W and then the SW (we just can't seem to get a
NW wind anymore!!!). Temp was comfortable to a high of 12C.
Raptor Observations:
A record breaking vulture flight today with a total of 5429 TV's tallied.
Highlights for the day were the first 2 Golden Eagles for the season (1
Adult and 1 Immature) and a Juvenile Light morph Swaison's Hawk (keep an
eye out Holiday Beach and Erie Metro Park :). Total birds for the day
were 5836 (Note this is a combined total at our typical October watch
location and a secondary location near the Sparta ridge).
Also got 298 Sharpies (most of which were counted right along "Sharpie
Alley"). We counted another 22 Kestrels today which will bring us soooo
close to 5000 for the year with 4994. A few more Osprey today with 5 and
another Northern Goshawk.
Non-raptor Observations:
Predictions:
Monday's predicted winds are SW going to SE...not exactly great for large
flights...but at least the weather itself is supposed to cooperate till
late in the day. Rain is forecast for Tuesday.
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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
