Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 23, 2011
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 1 642 38661
Osprey 0 0 190
Bald Eagle 2 16 210
Northern Harrier 8 113 1222
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 156 13235
Cooper's Hawk 5 47 456
Northern Goshawk 0 11 32
Red-shouldered Hawk 3 309 957
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 73020
Red-tailed Hawk 87 2858 4853
Rough-legged Hawk 1 19 28
Golden Eagle 12 80 227
American Kestrel 0 3 5090
Merlin 2 4 153
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 40
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: 126 4260 138375
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Dave Verkley, Jim Dunn
Observers: Clive Hodder, Dave Verkley, Don Taylor, Kathy, Mac McAlpine,
Mary Carnahan, Ronnie Goodhand, Tom Stewart
Visitors:
Thanks to everyone that helped spot and count the birds today...Jim, Mary,
Mac, Dave V., Don T., Ronnie, Kathy, Clive, Tom S, BJ and Winston C.
Weather:
Winds were moderate to strong from the NNW and NW. Temps ranged from 2C to
start to a high of 6C...though the counters indicated it felt a lot colder
with the wind! There was solid cloud cover for the first couple of hours
which moved out leaving a nearly cloudless blue sky. Unfortunately, the
humidity was a bit too high to start which meant a slow upflight.
Raptor Observations:
The total birds tallied today was 126...most were Redtails (87)...but the
2nd best species total was Golden Eagles (12) which was a nice surprise for
today's observers. Many of these eagles provided great views and excellent
photo ops. Another Roughleg was observed along with Harriers (8), Sharpies
(5), Cooper's (5) and Red-shoulders (3)...another couple of Bald
Eagles...and 2 Merlins.
Non-raptor Observations:
Despite a dreary start to the day, some non-raptors were out and about,
most notably a Great Horned Owl being mobbed by Crows and a flock of Rusty
Blackbirds flying westward along the Cliff. As the sky cleared, observers
began to find many other species. Some highlights from along Hawk Cliff Rd
include Northern Cardinals, Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers, Black-capped
Chickadees, Blue Jays, Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, a very
feisty Song Sparrow near the gate, 28 Cedar Waxwings, and a couple of
Golden-crowned Kinglets. As well, a Killdeer was spotted north of Sharpie
Alley and observers noted a flock of 5 Tundra Swans flying towards the
lake.
Eventually the raptor flight path (and the observers) moved to the B&B
where we had more great looks at Goldens and towards the end of the day, a
flock of 16 Sandhill Cranes made its way slowly across the field toward us,
circled several times and provided great views complete with sound
effects.
An Easter Comma was seen and photographed this afternoon near Sharpie
Alley.
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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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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/
