Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 188 12789 13031 Osprey 0 19 204 Bald Eagle 0 70 315 Northern Harrier 2 492 1724 Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 4264 13710 Cooper's Hawk 0 211 400 Northern Goshawk 0 12 12 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 252 253 Broad-winged Hawk 0 7 41018 Red-tailed Hawk 1 750 801 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 2 Golden Eagle 0 3 3 American Kestrel 0 695 4397 Merlin 0 39 231 Peregrine Falcon 0 108 138 Unknown 5 14 Total: 198 19718 76253 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Colin Horstead Observers: Alf Rider, Mary Carnahan, Ronnie Goodhand Visitors: None today....just the usual suspects braving the threat of rain. Weather: Well...I have to give the group that did today's count credit for sticking it out with such rotten weather in the area. Luckily, the rain didn't get going till almost 1:00 p.m. at which point the count was shut down. Winds were quite strong to start the morning coming from the SE then eventually working around to the E and light. Temp is still high (thanks to the warm air being dragged up from the Gulf by this latest massive low) and got to a high of 20 C. Raptor Observations: Such a dismal day always results in a small count and today was no exception with just 198 birds tallied. Most of these were TV's (188) with a few Sharpies (7) and a couple of Harriers. Non-raptor Observations: Of note has been fairly significant flights of crows (they seem to like the heavy tail winds from the E) and reports of decent numbers of passerines. There were also 4 Monarchs spotted today. Predictions: As we come up to the weekend the weather is supposed to clear a bit which should help get the flight going a bit more. However, given the predicted winds are strong from the SW we'll likely see a split in the flight... with perhaps late Peregrines and Osprey and a few more Bald Ealges along the cliff....while flights of buteos will almost certainly occur further inland. ======================================================================== 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 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
