Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 10, 2007
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 1 8 13
Osprey 27 55 57
Bald Eagle 15 32 34
Northern Harrier 67 201 204
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1269 1939 1944
Cooper's Hawk 3 17 18
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 180 200 201
Red-tailed Hawk 0 3 7
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 544 949 996
Merlin 16 41 41
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 2
Unknown 1 5 6
Total: 2123 3452 3523
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Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 10.5 hours
Official Counter: Colin Horstead, Dave Brown, Su Ross-Redmond
Observers: Brian Hawthorne, Colin Horstead, Dave Brown, Dave Verkley,
Eric Single, Keith Sealy, Mark Cunningham, Su Ross-Redmond
Visitors:
Quite a number of visitors today at the site...the following folks were all
from London...Su and Dave Perkins, Renee Dewit, Giusi Valmaggia, Todd
Pylypiw, Brad Moon, G E Wagner, Dave Martin, Jean Willadson, Dave and Donna
Wilkinson and Mike Crowder. There was also Noel and Helen Thompson, Phil
Colwill from St. Thomas, Cheryl Reid from Ingersoll, Jen and Chris Dawson
from Port Bruce, Glen Graham from Port Stanley, Tom Story from
Brantford...and from the east coast Boyd Coller of St. Albans,
Newfoundland.
Thanks today to the usual suspects for helping with the count. :)
Weather:
The day started out with fog and moderate NE winds. Eventually, the fog
burned off and the winds died to light NE...switching to light from the S
by 11:00 a.m. Lots of cloud cover for the morning and hazy...then clearing
quite a bit to blue skies with cloud to the north. Temp was comfortable
from 15 C to a high of just 21 C.
Raptor Observations:
A total of 2,123 raptors today...with an excellent movement of Sharpies
(1,269) and Kestrels (544). These birds were coming through continuously
throughout the day. On the other hand the small flight of Broadwings (180)
were only spotted in the distance to the north against the cloud backdrop.
In fact, while checking a couple of Bald Eagles in the scope we just
happened to spot a Broadwing kettle of about 30 birds in the distance
behind them!! The Bald Eagles (15) put on a good show today with several
immature birds in varying plummages. Ospreys (27) were seen both inland and
high as well as on the deck right along the cliff itself. Several Merlins
(16) gave us a nice look and a couple perched in the trees of the bushlot
out in front of the count area.
Non-raptor Observations:
Of note today was a good number of Common Nighthawks (26)...with 13 passing
through together at one point. In one case a Nighthawk was spotted diving
at the back of an Osprey as it cruised westward!
Predictions:
If the rain holds off and the wind ends up either NW, N or NE I suspect
there will be a decent flight again on Tuesday...and right now Wednesday is
looking really good with predicted stronger NW winds.
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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
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