Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 18, 2011
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 4142 14698 14856
Osprey 2 40 183
Bald Eagle 2 45 144
Northern Harrier 7 450 936
Sharp-shinned Hawk 293 6216 11465
Cooper's Hawk 9 245 294
Northern Goshawk 1 6 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 5 35 35
Broad-winged Hawk 0 762 73018
Red-tailed Hawk 9 251 275
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 4 21 21
American Kestrel 3 2299 5021
Merlin 5 69 127
Peregrine Falcon 0 14 37
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
Swainson's Hawk 0 0 1
Total: 4482 25151 106419
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Colin Horstead
Observers: Dave Verkley, Jim Dunn, John Potticary, Mac McAlpine,
Maris Apse, Mary Carnahan, Ronnie Goodhand, Wayne Parnall
Visitors:
Some visitors today...Bruce and Monica Gates (Sudbury), Bob
(Ingersoll)...and a big thanks to the counters and observers today Colin,
Jim, Mac, Mary, Wayne, Dave V. Ronnie, John P., Tim and Maris A.
Weather:
Winds were light from the WSW and then to straight SW for the last couple
of hours. Temp ranged from 11C to 14C. Cloud cover started at about 40% and
eventually reached 100%. However, there was drier air today and some good
thermals which resulted in many kettles.
Raptor Observations:
Total birds was 4,482....including 4 Golden Eagles (appeared to all be
juv.) and 5 more Merlins. A disappointing day for butoes...especially the
Redtails (9) and Red-shoulders (5). Another Goshawk was tallied along with
a couple more Osprey. The bulk of the flight today was obviosuly TV's
(4,142) with some impressive kettles spotted...especially during
11:00-12:00 with 1,522 counted for that hour. Often there were multiple
kettles in the sky at once.
Best bird of the day was the young Golden Eagle that passed directly
overhead of the observers at a height of no more than 200-300 ft.
Non-raptor Observations:
Hawk watchers who turned up early this morning reported a fly-by of 2
Tundra Swans, the first for Hawk Cliffers this fall. Also seen in the early
morning were a few Loons and Cormorants. As the morning progressed, some
large flocks of mixed blackbirds (mainly Red-wings and Grackles) were
spotted crossing the field south of Sharpie Alley. Large flocks of
European Starlings were also noted.
Up and down the road and in the woods, the upper tree branches were full
of American Robins, American Crows and Blue Jays, while lower down, the
predominant species were White-throated Sparrows and Yellow-rumped
Warlbers. As well, many Ruby-crowned and a few Golden-crowned Kinglets
were seen, and a walk along the pond path yielded a few surprises including
one each of Blackpoll and Nashville Warbler and American Redstart. Hermit
Thrush were evident in bushes at the Alley and also at the south end of the
bean field.
Observers also reported numerous Song Sparrows, plus a Swamp Sparrow which
was found just north of the observation knoll. Other highlights were Gray
Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, and Blue-headed Vireo. Hawk watchers at the B&B
spotted a few American Pipits, the first for this season at Hawk Cliff.
Predictions:
Lots of rain on the way will likely wash out another day on us.
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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
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
