Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 23, 2010
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 214 15681 16749
Osprey 0 58 336
Bald Eagle 0 69 209
Northern Harrier 9 595 1409
Sharp-shinned Hawk 79 6050 13303
Cooper's Hawk 4 157 259
Northern Goshawk 0 5 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 186 197
Broad-winged Hawk 0 509 99105
Red-tailed Hawk 1 824 888
Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 2
Golden Eagle 1 22 22
American Kestrel 0 872 4389
Merlin 1 37 177
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: 309 25095 137131
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Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 12:00:00
Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Colin Horstead
Observers: Alf Rider, Dave Brown, Don Taylor, Jim Dunn, Kathy,
Mary Carnahan, Phil Waggett, Ronnie Goodhand
Visitors:
Today we had a few visitors join us...Rose, Chris Kraatz and Kay Janssens
(London), Winston, Trevor Nichols and Patrick Carter (St. Catherines).
Thanks to all our observers today...Colin H., Don T., Dave B., Mary C.,
Ronnie G., Jim D., Phil W., Kathy and Alf R..
Weather:
Another strange day for weather. Initially it looked like it might rain, an
hour or so later we were down to 20% cloud cover and then an hour more and
we were socked right in with rain threatening again. The temp made it to
18C. Winds were moderate from the SW.
Raptor Observations:
The total birds today was 309 birds...a bit better than we expected given
the start to the day. Tv's (214) passed through mostly as part of three
groups barely above the treetops as they fought their way westward into the
SW wind . Several Harriers were crossed the area low as well with one adult
male. Another lone Golden Eagle was spotted to our south and a couple of
young Bald Eagles passed directly overheard headed eastbound (therefore not
counted).
Non-raptor Observations:
Still lots of birdsong this morning along Hawk Cliff Rd., with ROBINS &
STARLINGS the predominant songsters. Visual inspection, however, revealed
CEDAR WAXWINGS as the real stars of the day, including many rakish-looking
youngsters. Later on at the B&B, at least 6 COMMON LOONS were spotted
flying individually and an EASTERN MEADOWLARK was seen and heard in the
field, along with PIPITS & HORNED LARKS.
The biggest surprise of the day were the 2 MONARCH BUTTERFLIES looking
very fresh and new, one at the south end of HC Rd., and the other enjoyed
by hawk watchers at the B&B.
Predictions:
The next several days are Not looking particularily favourable with rain
predicted most of the way through to Wednesday. This will likley slow any
migration to a near standstill. The only good news is that this may result
in a buildup of raptors to the east and north and bring a good flight once
the weather improves.
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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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