Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 29, 2010
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 1730 17506 18574
Osprey 1 60 338
Bald Eagle 6 80 220
Northern Harrier 68 669 1483
Sharp-shinned Hawk 223 6305 13558
Cooper's Hawk 17 175 277
Northern Goshawk 0 5 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 19 205 216
Broad-winged Hawk 0 509 99105
Red-tailed Hawk 62 892 956
Rough-legged Hawk 6 8 8
Golden Eagle 5 28 28
American Kestrel 4 876 4393
Merlin 4 41 181
Peregrine Falcon 1 29 81
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: 2146 27388 139424
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Observation start time: 07:30:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Colin Horstead
Observers: Dave Brown, Eric Jeffery, Eric Single, Ernie Gribble,
Jim Dunn, Kathy, Keith Sealy, Mac McAlpine, Mary Carnahan,
Ronnie Goodhand, Tom Stewart
Visitors:
Several visitors today...including Murray and Remi, Lois Evans (Hamilton)
and several others who's names didn't get noted. Thanks to all the counters
/ observers who stuck it out today waiting for the sun and the Goldens!
Weather:
The day started with moderate WNW winds and heavy cloud resulting from an
almost squall type band coming down from Lake Hueon. The temp started at 6C
and got to a high of 10C....though it felt a lot colder with the damp air
and the wind. Eventually, the cloud broke and we enjoyed some nice blue
skies.
Raptor Observations:
Once we saw the TV's start to move we figured the flight was at least going
to be interesting...and it didn't disappoint. The total for today was 2,146
birds with 13 different species (we had hoped for a Goshawk to get 14 but
no luck!).
Although the bulk of the flight was TV's (1,730)...other species put in a
good showing including Sharpies (223), Harriers (68) with several male
Harriers...many right on the deck. The first buteos of the week were on the
move as well with Shoulders (19), Redtails (64) and a few nice Roughlegs
(4)...3 light morph and 1 dark morph. We also managed to spot a few falcons
today as well with the highlight a Peregrine.
Of course we were all hoping for Golden Eagles today and it took until
just after 1:00 pm (EST) to get our first one...a juvenile...followed soon
after by an adult looking bird powering westward at a pretty good height.
Another Golden crossed in the next hour and the last 2 (also both juvenile
looking birds) were the reward for those few of us that stuck it out till
the end of the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
Well, it was obvious that many passerines had been held up by the inclement
weather this past week...the number of small birds on the move today was
staggering.
Perhaps no surprise, after the many reports of CAVE SWALLOWS over the past
couple of days along Lake Erie...observers standing right along the cliff
observed 9 of this species headed westward just below the cliff edge.
We also observed flock after flock of Am. Pipits passing overhead...some
barely 20 feet up! Other Am. Pipits were litereally walking around in the
freshly worked field right in front of the counters. Also, a large push of
Am. Crows today...a few flocks of E. Bluebirds. The best warlbers today
were another Orange-crowned and a Black-throated Blue. Several small flocks
of Tundra Swans were also noted along with Coomon Loons headed south to the
lake.
Predictions:
Tomorrow's prediction is difficult...they're talking sun and cloud BUT
strong SW winds...so I think birds will continue to make their move....but
they may be spread anywhere from HAwk Cliff north to London! At this point,
Sunday is looking more promising with predicted N winds and sun.
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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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