Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 20, 2007
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 13 18
Osprey 2 131 133
Bald Eagle 14 151 153
Northern Harrier 43 597 600
Sharp-shinned Hawk 615 6773 6778
Cooper's Hawk 19 85 86
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 32 39297 39298
Red-tailed Hawk 2 10 14
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 183 2283 2330
Merlin 7 113 113
Peregrine Falcon 1 7 7
Unknown 7 8
Total: 918 49467 49538
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Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 10 hours
Official Counter: Colin Horstead
Observers: Alf Rider, Dave Brown, Derek Lyon, Jennifer Lyon,
Matt Oswald, Su Ross-Redmond
Visitors:
Several visitors again today...including a couple from Exmouth England.
Thanks to all those who were out to help with today's count.
Weather:
Great start to the day with moderate to strong NE winds...eventually
subsiding to light and variable. Still way too warm with a high to 24.
Again the skies were totally clear making viewing difficult to say the
least.
Raptor Observations:
The flight level was quite low today despite the NE winds (this usually
sends the birds into the stratosphere!!). Had some great views of some of
the Bald Eagles today...with the highlights being a lone adult Peregrine
that circled up behind the counters...along with a good number of Cooper's
Hawks (19). Just a small flight of Broadwings (32) and only small kettles.
Non-raptor Observations:
The morning belonged to the Blue Jays. They moved through in huge numbers
today. Many of us who've participated at the hawkwatch for many years noted
that it was one of the most extensive flights of jays that we'd seen. At
one point we did a sample count and we got some 400-500 Blue Jays going by
EVERY MINUTE. They moved through at this pace for the first 3 HOURS!! At
this rate we'd estimate that at least 30,000 to 50,000 Blue Jays migrated
through the Hawk Cliff area this morning alone.
Predictions:
The weekend is looking promising with NW and NE winds...just in time for
our 2nd Hawk Cliff Weekend activites.
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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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