Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 22, 2007
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 133 146 151
Osprey 3 142 144
Bald Eagle 47 199 201
Northern Harrier 70 697 700
Sharp-shinned Hawk 735 8267 8272
Cooper's Hawk 35 133 134
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 1 1
Broad-winged Hawk 1051 40348 40349
Red-tailed Hawk 9 19 23
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 376 2810 2857
Merlin 15 139 139
Peregrine Falcon 2 11 11
Unknown 7 8
Total: 2477 52919 52990
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Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 10 hours
Official Counter: Dave Brown
Observers: Alf Rider, Ches Caister, Dave Verkley, Derek Lyon,
Ed Taylor, Eric Single, Jennifer Lyon, Keith Sealy,
Mac McAlpine, Mark Cunningham, Su Ross-Redmond, Tim Foran
Visitors:
A huge crowd again today for the 2nd Hawk Cliff Weekend activities! (at
least 200+ from all over the region). And they certainly were treated to a
couple of excellent live bird presentations and a deecent raptor migration
flight.
Weather:
The day started out warm with 20 C...lots of cloud cover and hazy. Winds
were strong from the SW initially...then slowly backing around to W and NW.
Temp reached a high of 24 C.
Raptor Observations:
After a slow start the flight picked up and by the end of the day the total
was 2,471. The bulk of the birds was Broadwings (1,051), Sharpies (735) and
Kestrels (376). Highlights for today were 47 Bald Eagles (mostly juvenile
and immature birds), along with Cooper's Hawks (35), Merlins (15) and
Peregrine (2). The real treat was the first live bird presentation in the
morning which included a Broadwing (1st I've known of in 15 years at these
presentations), a young Red-shouldered Hawk (again a first that I've heard
of and early to boot), an adult Redtail, Sharpies, Kestrels and a Merlin. A
\fantastic show for all the visitors.
Non-raptor Observations:
Some Chimney Swifts and los of warblers...including Blackpoll, Bay
Breasted, Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue to name a few. A few more
Common Loons headed out to the lake. No Cormorants to report today.
Predictions:
For Sunday the winds are predicted to be strong from the NW or NE (this is
good!!) with a dryer air mass. This should provide the right conditions for
a good flight. Please come out and join us for the day 2 of our 2nd HAwk
Cliff Weekend.
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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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