Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 14, 2014
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 5 32 32
Bald Eagle 9 27 27
Northern Harrier 24 92 102
Sharp-shinned Hawk 197 738 748
Cooper's Hawk 2 19 20
Northern Goshawk 1 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 5278 5659 5690
Red-tailed Hawk 5 15 15
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 54 273 306
Merlin 2 12 13
Peregrine Falcon 1 10 10
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 1 1
Total: 5578 6879 6965
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Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Lyon
Observers: Ches Caister, Chris Burris, Dave Verkley, Derek Lyon,
Gord Kozak, Jim Dunn, Keith Sealy, Mark Cunningham,
Mary Carnahan, Tom Bolohan, Winston Celik
Visitors:
Lots of visitors today and a great turnout of volunteers for spotting and
counting the birds. Thanks to everyone that helped!
Weather:
The winds actually hung in there from the NW and N for the initial part of
the day...eventually crossing through NE and finally ESE for the rest of
the count period. Not much in the way of cloud for the first part of the
day but some building in for the afternoon. Temp got to a high of 15C.
Raptor Observations:
A much better flight today than expected and great timing for the open
house weekend and all the visitors. The only problem with such clear skies
to start was that the flight was very high, especially the Broadwings.
Total birds tallied for the day was 5,578 the bulk of which was Broadwings
(5,278). This may represent the vanguard leading up to larger flights of
Broadwings over the next few days. Broadwings were very very high with
kettles of 300 to 500 in the peak hours mainly over the bushlot to the east
and then streaming to the north. The lone Goshawk came through during the
last open house bird show. Unfortunately most of the public were watching
the show and missed seeing the bird, it was very quick. It was a young
bird and came straight across from the gap and had the counters thinking it
was a large Coopers as Goshawk don't usually come through yet. But as it
got closer, it was clearly a goshawk. Lots of local bald eagles today,
sometimes as many as 6-8 in the sky. Overall, great day! Other species
observed included Osprey (5), Bald Eagles (9) actually counted as migrants,
a good count of N. Harriers (25) including what appeared to be an immature
male not quite into definitive adult plumage, lots of Sharpies (196), a
couple of Cooper's Hawks, some Redtails (5), Kestrels (54), Merlins (2) and
another single Peregrine.
Non-raptor Observations:
Observers enjoyed some good birding early this morning with many songbirds
right around the observation knoll, including a Hairy Woodpecker, a
Carolina Wren. Great Blue Heron, Song Sparrow, numerous Goldfinches flying
over in flocks, and some Warblers. Nice bird for the day was a White-eyed
Vireo. Others found warblers up and down the road for a total today of 11
warbler species which were Yellow (3 individuals were seen), Magnolia,
Chestnut-sided, 2 Cape May, Bay-breasted, several American Redstart,
Blue-winged (only the second reported this fall season), Northern Parula,
at least 4 Wilson's, and a Common Yellowthroat. There was a Gray Catbird
meowing from almost every shrub up and down Hawk Cliff Rd and many
observers and photographers had great views of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
both flying across the field and sparring in jewelweed patches.
Monarch Butterflies continued their trek westward, 3 being captured for the
butterfly tagging demonstration in the morning, and numerous Clouded
Sulphurs were seen in weed patches especially in the cornfield, which is
also the hub of dragonfly activity most days. Black Saddlebags and Common
Green Darners continue to be the most frequently observed dragonflies
moving across the tobacco field as well as patrolling in the cornfield.
Today's highlight was a single Eastern Forktail found close to the pond.
Predictions:
The forecast for Monday calls for SW winds with a mix of sun and cloud.
This usually pushes the flight somewhat inland though you can still get
some species right along the cliff using the updraft on these winds.
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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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