Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 30, 2006
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 203 23531 24622
Osprey 0 56 273
Bald Eagle 1 112 327
Northern Harrier 3 728 1679
Sharp-shinned Hawk 31 8931 14590
Cooper's Hawk 4 379 531
Northern Goshawk 0 31 39
Red-shouldered Hawk 12 437 444
Broad-winged Hawk 0 1098 43083
Red-tailed Hawk 84 1912 2044
Rough-legged Hawk 0 15 15
Golden Eagle 5 50 50
American Kestrel 2 670 5068
Merlin 1 40 226
Peregrine Falcon 0 24 101
Unknown 1 10 35
Swainson's Hawk 0 2 2
Total: 347 38026 93129
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Dave Brown
Observers: Alf Rider, Dave Sked, Dave Verkley, Mac McAlpine,
Mary Carnahan, Ronnie Goodhand, Shay Redmond
Visitors:
Several visitors again today including Danielle and Chris and Fiona
Streutker.
Weather:
A beautiful day today weatherwise...bright sunny skies and warmer S winds.
Temp got to 14C. Not much cloud cover to start the day...but eventually
got some contrails and wispy cloud as a backdrop.
Raptor Observations:
Unfortunately, with fairly strong S winds the birds were being pushed well
inland today. Our total count was 347...and was tallied at our secondary
site a couple of km inland from our primary Hawk Cliff site. The raptors
were taking advantage of riding the "Sparta Ridge"...which made sense
given the southerly flow in the area. Highlights were 5 more Golden Eagles
including 2 Adults right together and a sub-adult bird that actually had
just a couple of white feather in the left wing but none in the right
wing. All 5 of these eagles provided some really nice looks and great
photo ops for Shay Redmond and Alf Rider. Make sure to check out the Hawk
Cliff Foundation website
(http://www.ezlink.ca/~thebrowns/HawkCliff/index.htm) to see they're
latest shots...along with (hopefully) another shot from Mike Werner.
I should've mentioned that we've really started to see a push of Adult
Male Northern Harriers in the last few days...with the peak being 14. Many
years we have to wait for the first really good snowfall to see this many
in a day.
The Osprey continues to catch fish in the pond straight out from the
secondary count site. This bird has been seen in the area for the past
week and a half.
Non-raptor Observations:
Various flights of geese and ducks...with 1 flock of Pintails headed
southwest to the lake. Also several more loons noted today along with a
Great Blue Heron and Belted Kingfisher.
Predictions:
Predicted light scattered rain showers for tomorrow with W to WNW winds. If
the rain holds off I would expect a few birds coming through.
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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
