Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 17, 2010
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 24 44 73
Bald Eagle 17 18 18
Northern Harrier 50 61 91
Sharp-shinned Hawk 427 441 458
Cooper's Hawk 9 10 11
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 1 1
Broad-winged Hawk 20189 20194 20207
Red-tailed Hawk 2 3 17
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 78 211 265
Merlin 12 15 17
Peregrine Falcon 2 3 3
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 20811 21001 21161
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Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Colin Horstead
Observers: Beth Wigle, Bouwe Bergsma, Derek Lyon, Don Wigle,
Jennifer Lyon, Jim Landau, Kathy, Keith Sealy,
Mac McAlpine, Mark Cunningham, Mary Carnahan,
Ronnie Goodhand
Visitors:
Jim Landau and Doug Happ (New York), Tom Stewart (Lambert) and Bill Boid
(Yorkshire, England). Sally Brownell and Kathy Baker. Note that I've
posted today's count to get it out as quickly as possible. I still have to
enter data for previous days so the YTD totals will be incomplete.
Weather:
The winds were light from the NE for the majority of the count
period...then switched quickly to the S for the last couple of hours. Heavy
cloud for the entire time and much cooler temps to a high of 16C. Much
lower humidity today with barometric pressure on the rise.
Raptor Observations:
Another great flight today after the birds were obviously held up with
yesterday's rain. The total count for today was 20,811 the bulk of which
were Broadwings (20,189)...along with a decent flight of Sharpies (427).
Several nice sightings of Merlin (12) and a couple more Peregrines.
Non-raptor Observations:
Even with gloomy skies and cool temps, birders saw a wide variety of
non-raptor species today with a total of 50. While searching the clouds
for raptors, hawk watchers on the mound were treated to nice looks at a
GREAT BLUE HERON as well as a GREAT EGRET (tagged). As well, a flock of
PIPITS did a flyby, providing viewers with a new first for Hawk Cliff this
season.
Both RUBY-CROWNED & GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS were seen foraging along the
roadside along with BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, ROBINS, and
many CEDAR WAXWINGS. Warblers were seen in several locations from the
roadside, especially along the path that extends from the end of HC Rd to
the cliff's edge and farther north between Sharpie Alley and the ravine.
Warblers spotted this morning were MAGNOLIA, , BLACK-THROATED BLUE,
YELLOW-RUMPED, PALM, PINE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, BLACKPOLL, AM. REDSTART,
TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE, NORTHERN PARULA, WILSON'S & COMMON YELLOWTHROAT.
GOLDFINCH numbers are dwindling, although small flocks can still be seen
(and heard!) flying over the mound. HUMMINGBIRDS are still flying
westward, but numbers are much lower, with only a few seen here and there
in the jewelweed.
Monarch butterflies can also be seen each morning leaving their roosts in
trees and bushes or rising from the beanfield once they are sufficiently
warmed to continue on their way. However, their numbers are significantly
down compared to last weekend.
Predictions:
Predicted SW winds at 20 kph...a mix of sun and cloud. We might get lucky
and have a few falcons, Osprey and Bald Eagles using the updraft at the
cliff tomorrow on the SW winds.
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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
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