Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 23, 2013
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 5720 15650 17105
Osprey 0 13 126
Bald Eagle 8 42 157
Northern Harrier 14 93 373
Sharp-shinned Hawk 253 784 5172
Cooper's Hawk 12 50 94
Northern Goshawk 0 0 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 19 73 80
Broad-winged Hawk 0 4 59366
Red-tailed Hawk 195 404 458
Rough-legged Hawk 6 6 6
Golden Eagle 1 4 4
American Kestrel 3 112 1558
Merlin 0 6 58
Peregrine Falcon 0 74 96
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 2
Total: 6231 17315 84656
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 13:00:00
Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Jim Dunn
Observers: Dave Verkley, Eric Single, Mac McAlpine, Mary Carnahan,
Mike Street
Visitors:
Thanks to all those who helped with today's count... especially with so
many birds on the move... Mary, Jim, Mac, Eric (and Molly), Dave V., Don
T., Mike S...brought along Earle Covert (visiting from Alberta). Other
visitors noted...Pat Dimond, Jack Inhos, Darlene Hardy and many more whose
names were not recorded.
Weather:
The day started out cold 2C and by the end of the count had warmed to a
balmy 4C. Wind was strong and gusty from NW and NNW. Quite a bit of cloud
cover with breaks of sunshine. The humidify was a bit high for our
typically bigger flights but it would appear that the birds are getting
antsy and moved anyways.
Raptor Observations:
Today's flight started slow and picked up through the count. In the last
hour, TVâs were streaming and kettling wherever you looked in out from
the observation mound.
Highlights were some great looks at Roughies (6)..one which was being
harassed by a RAVEN and then switched roles and the ROUGHIE was harassing
the raven. We could still hear the raven singing his maCAWGHbra song long
after flew over the mound.
Another highlight was a GOLDEN EAGLE that Mac spotted in a kettle of
TVâs. A big flight of TVs (5720) today along with a pretty good movement
of Sharpies (253). Lots of other raptors headed westward as well...Bald
Eagles (8), N. Harrier (14), Cooper's Hawks (12), Red-shoulders (19) along
with Redtails (195) and Kestrels (3).
Total birds for the day was 6231.
Non-raptor Observations:
Thanks to everyone, regulars and visitors, who contributed to today's
non-raptor list which totalled 32 species including a Common Raven, which
is New for this season at Hawk Cliff. As well, there were very late
sightings of 16 Tree Swallows as well as Nashville and Blackpoll Warbler,
in addition to many Yellow-rumped and a couple of Orange-crowned Warblers
which are still hanging around. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were found
everywhere today. Other species of note were Red-bellied, Downy and
Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Blue-headed Vireo, Chickadee,
White-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Am. Robin, Hermit Thrush,
White-throated and Song Sparrow.
Eastern Bluebirds were seen in good numbers all the way down Fairview Rd
this morning from John Wise Ln to Dexter; more Bluebirds were heard and
seen in the field in front of the knoll and along Dexter Ln near the Port
Stanley water tower. Several other species were spotted from the knoll,
including many American Pipits, flocks of Horned Larks flying west as well
as European Starlings and American Crows headed west, at least a dozen
Common Loons and 4 Wood Ducks. At the B&B there were still many Killdeer
foraging in the field.
A single Monarch Butterfly and a single Clouded Sulphur were seen near the
cliff. The Sulphur, alas, was grabbed out of the air by a Yellow-rumped
Warbler in a flock of about 40 that were foraging their way west through
bushes along the cliff.
Predictions:
If the weather forecast for tomorrow is anywhere near correct, it should be
another good day for Roughies and Goldens. Friday is also looking decent
for a good flight if predicted wind directions hold.
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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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