Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 18, 2008
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 15 137 138
Bald Eagle 7 72 74
Northern Harrier 28 138 138
Sharp-shinned Hawk 357 1567 1569
Cooper's Hawk 6 13 13
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 2603 100190 100198
Red-tailed Hawk 0 1 3
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 273 931 947
Merlin 8 43 43
Peregrine Falcon 2 12 12
Unknown Accipiter 0 7 7
Unknown Buteo 0 1 1
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Mississippi Kite 0 1 1
Total: 3299 103113 103144
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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, Brian Hawthorne, Dave Sked, Derek Lyon,
Eleanor Kee-Wellman, Jennifer Lyon, Jim Dunn, Keith Sealy,
Maris Apse, Mark Cunningham, Mary Carnahan, Matt Oswald,
Ronnie Goodhand, Steve Birch, Su Ross-Redmond
Visitors:
Lots! Too many to mention them all...and my thanks to all those that helped
spot birds today as they were all over the place.
Weather:
Sunny with little or no cloud throughout the day. Temp was warmer to 21C.
Winds were favourable but light from the NE and N for most of the morning.
Unfortunately, the winds swung around to the SE and then SW for the rest of
the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
Not a bad flight today with a total of 3299 birds tallied of 9 species.
Another nice flight of Broadwings (2603) with some kettles over 150 birds.
This was the first good flight for Sharpies (357) and the Coopers Hawk
(6)...along with Kestrels (273). The Merlins (8) seen today put on a bit of
a show...in particular two birds that landed in the trees right in front of
the count area...and then flew around diving on each other. We had another
couple of peregrines as well today.
Non-raptor Observations:
The best non-raptor of the day was a Black-billed Cuckoo sitting in a tree
just 20-30 feet up and beside the counters eating catepillars. Also
Pileated Woodpecker crossing the field to our north and more RT
Hummingbirds. The Monarch flight definitely picked up through the afternoon
with many crossing in our field of view every time we were checking for
raptors.
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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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