Greetings, Ross Snider and I were able to sample various spots along Hwy 21, from Grand Bend to Bayfield, for raptors and various migrants and were rewarded with some excellent sightings and totals. Most astounding for us were the 146 Rough-legged Hawks observed, unprecedented in our experience. Most of these birds were east of the Hwy corridor, some as much as 2 km east, although these birds [and other raptors] seemed to be 'bouncing' off the lake at irregular intervals. Seeing the relatively paltry number seen at Erie Metro Park today, it would seem that most of these birds crossed over, to the west, before reaching them. Of these Rough-legs observed, about 20 were dark-phase, again numbers we have never experienced. Quite incredibly, the number of Rough-legs exceeded even Red-tailed Hawks, as we had 138 for the day. Quite stunning indeed. Other notables raptor numbers were 13 Golden Eagles [a personal best for both of us], 3 Bald Eagles, 3 Northern Goshawks and a smattering of the other expected species. Also following the same migration corridor were four flocks of Sandhill Cranes, totalling 80 birds. The largest flock contained 43 birds and all flocks were very high and east of Hwy 21. On the landbird front, we lucked out with a couple good finds. At the intersection of Blue Bluff and Bronson, we stumbled upon 55 Bohemian Waxwings, with 2 Cedars. The birds were just east of the intersection, up a disused, unmarked county road. We also had 5 Pine Grosbeaks fly over Hwy 21 at Hendrick. Other finches included 20 Evening Grosbeak near Hendrick and 66 Common Redpolls, in many small flocks, scattered along the immediate highway area. Snow Buntings were also present in excellent numbers, with 11,200 tallied, with a flock of 4500 adjacent to the Grand Bend Lagoons and 5000 near Hwy 21 and Turnbull. In lesser numbers, but still impressive were 240 Lapland Longspurs, 350 American Pipits and 780 Horned Larks--most east of the Hwy at scattered locations. All and all a great birding experience, with the numbers of Rough-legs especially gratifying, as well as just the sheer magnitude of migration as seen on such a broad front. James Holdsworth and Ross Snider.
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