A THERMAL UPDRAFT VELOCITY of 200+ft./min on the waterfront in southwest Whitby is a good predicator of migrating hawks, but only if the winds and barometric pressure are "right". Indeed, on Oct.24 the TUV was 200, but the winds were mild and out of the south--result--only 45 migrating hawks, 39 being Sharp-shinned. On Oct.25 the TUV was well over 200, AND for 1.3 hours the wind was north and the BP was rising--during that time we saw 2 large kettles of Turkey Vultures and we had great looks at 2 subadult ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. Suddenly the wind shifted --south-southeast--no more hawks!!!! At the same time we lost several of top spotters, all of whom decided to venture inland to our Iroquois satellite station--within 40 minutes I had a phone-call from there --5 GOLDEN EAGLES together. Oh well-- back to CMRW--we stayed for 3 hours, counting a total of 140 raptors--118 TVs, 2 Sharp-shinned, 1 Cooper's, 13 Red-tailed, 2 Rough-legged, and 4 distant unknown raptors.
On both days 2 Cackling Geese came down from the north corn fields with many Canadas, to settle on the lakefront. On Oct.24 the lakefront had many waterfowl--Common Loons, Common Mergansers, Hooded Mergansers. Near our platform--Rusty Blackbird, Tree Sparrow, Fox Sparrow (a brief visit), Eastern Towhee among others. >From the 401 exit at Salem Rd. (Ajax), south to Bayly, east through Lakeridge >Rd. to the first street--Hall's Rd. -south to the second roadside parking area. Doug Lockrey, coordinator CMRW _______________________________________________ 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
