Nine species of diurnal raptors were seen today between 8 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. under pleasant viewing conditions.
Turkey Vulture: 3 circled east of the marsh but not considered migrants. Osprey: 5 Northern Harrier: 5 Sharp-shinned Hawk: 20 juveniles Cooper's Hawk: 2 juveniles Broad-winged Hawk: 5 Red-tailed Hawk: 1 but not considered a migrant. American Kestrel: 7 migrants. Peregrine Falcon: 1 juvenile from the introduced population. Total species: 9, total individuals: 49 Non-raptor birds: 52 species seen or heard from the migration site including Common Loon - 3, American Bittern - 1, Virginia Rail - 1 gave the piglike grunt call several times, Common Moorhen - 4 calling frequently, Black-billed Cuckoo - 1 seen perched and flying, Chimney Swifts - a few with hundreds of migrating swallows, Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 17, Carolina Wren - 1, Marsh Wren - 1, Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1, and others. Official Counter: Jean Iron Observers: Ron Pittaway, Charlie Adey, Doug Lockrey, Alf Lisk, Rosemary Harris, Jim Skene, Alan Woods, Mike Ferguson, Paul McGee, Mark Wysotski and several visitors. A guide to the basics of fall hawkwatching with a migration chart is on the OFO website. Print a copy. http://www.ofo.ca/reportsandarticles/hawkwatching.php Directions: Exit from the 401 at Brock St. in Whitby, go south on Brock St. to Victoria St. Go west on Victoria St. to Halls Road. Go south on Halls Road to the second walkway going east to Cranberry Marsh. For more information see the Greater Toronto Raptor Watch website. http://www.greatertorontohawkwatch.com Predictions: Wednesday and Thursday could be excellent if winds are from the northwest. Jean Iron Toronto ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
