Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 21, 2014
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 7 7 7
Osprey 2 70 70
Bald Eagle 0 52 52
Northern Harrier 3 205 215
Sharp-shinned Hawk 33 3224 3234
Cooper's Hawk 0 29 30
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 70230 70261
Red-tailed Hawk 0 20 20
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 34 1137 1170
Merlin 2 28 29
Peregrine Falcon 2 30 30
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: 83 75034 75120
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 14:15:00
Total observation time: 6.25 hours
Official Counter: Jim Dunn
Observers: Derek Lyon, Jason McGuire, Jennifer Lyon, Keith Sealy,
Mary Carnahan, Tom Stewart
Visitors:
No visitors were noted on the report today...but thanks to those observers
who hung out to get a count done today.
Weather:
Not a great day for migration...Rain and strong westerly winds all last
night that cleared almost instantly to sun and blue sky at 8.10 A.M. but
again with moderate SW to WSW winds. This pleasant weather held until mid
afternoon when the sky clouded up and threatened rain. Temp actually
started at the high of 20C and dropped by the end of the count period to
18C.
Raptor Observations:
Another smaller flight with just 83 birds. Not as many Peregrines (2) as
yesterday but a few more Kestrels (34) and even a couple of Merlins. Other
species included Osprey (2), N. Harrier (3), Sharpies (33) and the first
Turkey Vultures (7) counted as migrants for the season.
Non-raptor Observations:
A great report from Mary C. for non-raptor sightings today...Observers
reported an interesting variety of non-raptor avian species today including
a couple of firsts for this season, A Wilson's Snipe and a small flock of
Red-breasted Mergansers. Other highlights included 1 Common Loon, a flock
of 4 Wood Ducks, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Common Nighthawk, 1 Hairy
Woodpecker, 8 Eastern Bluebirds on the wires just up the road at Roberts
Ln, about a dozen Cedar Waxwings, 6 Gray Catbirds, a Killdeer and an
American Redstart, our only warbler species for the day. Blue Jays were on
the move this morning as soon as the skies cleared and the rain stopped
with 200 having been counted by 11:00 AM -- not a huge flight, but enough
to encourage folks to take notice. Hummingbirds were seen heading west
across the tobacco field today with several buzzing directly through the
row of observers on the knoll. Although there wasn't much birdsong heard
anywhere today, our self-appointed mascot, the Red-bellied Woodpecker took
up its position just above observers on the knoll late this afternoon and
gave everyone a good scolding.
In the non-avian, non-raptor category, many observers commented on the huge
number of large dragonflies above the tobacco field, a spectacle that
continued almost until the end of the day; species observed in the largest
numbers were Common Green Darner and Black Saddlebags. 12-spotted Skimmers
were also seen up and down the road, but in much smaller numbers than
either of the other two species. One observer attempted to do a half-hour
count of Green Darners and Saddlebags, but because of the strong westerly
winds, the insects were being buffeted around and driven back; thus, making
it impossible to eliminate the possibility of double- or even
triple-counting individuals.
Many monarchs trekked westward today despite the strong headwind; other
butterflies spotted today were Painted Lady, Cabbage White, Clouded
Sulphur, Orange Sulphur; also a Woolly Bear was seen near the knoll.
Predictions:
Much better weather is forecast for Monday with moderate NW winds under a
mix of sun and cloud. This might get the buteos moving again and I suspect
there's still a few Broadwings in the pipeline.
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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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