Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 21, 2010
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 375 14299 15367
Osprey 0 58 336
Bald Eagle 3 68 208
Northern Harrier 14 583 1397
Sharp-shinned Hawk 84 5924 13177
Cooper's Hawk 2 153 255
Northern Goshawk 0 5 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 186 197
Broad-winged Hawk 0 509 99105
Red-tailed Hawk 9 804 868
Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
Golden Eagle 1 20 20
American Kestrel 1 871 4388
Merlin 1 36 176
Peregrine Falcon 0 28 80
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: 491 23545 135581
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Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Colin Horstead
Observers: Alf Rider, Jim Dunn, Kathy, Mary Carnahan, Michael Sandell,
Ronnie Goodhand, Shay Redmond, Tom Stewart
Visitors:
A big thanks to all who counted and helped spot the birds today with such
strange weather.....including Colin Horstead, Shay Redmond, Jim Dunn, Mary
Carnahan, Kathy, Dave Verkley, Ronnie Goodhand, Tom Stewart and Michael
Sandell (Oakville) who not only helped spot raptors but also managed to id
the 4 Tree Swallows passing the hawkwatch.
Weather:
Started off with complete sunshine and few clouds...and then to nearly 100%
cloud coverage. Wind was very light NW to start then went to moderate to
strong W. Temp went from a low of 5C to 9C by 1:00 p.m. A storm basically
came through at around this time and the temp dropped to 6C and it was a
mix of rain and hail.
Raptor Observations:
The total raptors tallied today was 491...with TV's (375), Sharpies (84),
Harriers (14) and just 10 buteos. The highlight today was a Golden Eagle
just as the hail hit. This bird struggled to continue westward and
disaappeared from view still flying but very low. The Osprey that's been
hanging around is certainly putting on a fishing display with 3 fish caught
today!
Non-raptor Observations:
Early birders at Hawk Cliff enjoyed a great view of a PILEATED WOODPECKER
early this morning. Others spotted an EASTERN MEADOWLARK, COMMON LOON,
CEDAR WAXWINGs (including a couple of juveniles), and large flocks of
migrating AM. CROWS. Michael Sandell initially spotted 4 TREE SWALLOWS that
then passed the counters. As far as we're aware this is the latest fall
sighting for the Hawk Cliff hawkwatch and possibly for Elgin County as
well??
Predictions:
Another day of strange weather possibly on tap for Friday. If we're lucky,
most of the wet (and possibly snowy) weather will have moved off to the
east by daybreak...and predictions are for clearing skies and strong W
winds. If the air dries out there'll be at least some sort of flight...but
if not the birds will likely stay put.
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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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