Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 22, 2014
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 50 57 57
Osprey 1 71 71
Bald Eagle 1 53 53
Northern Harrier 27 232 242
Sharp-shinned Hawk 320 3544 3554
Cooper's Hawk 6 35 36
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 122 70352 70383
Red-tailed Hawk 0 20 20
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 152 1289 1322
Merlin 4 32 33
Peregrine Falcon 0 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: 683 75717 75803
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Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 14:30:00
Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Matt Oswald
Observers: Bob Johnstone, Ches Caister, Chris Burris, Ernie Gribble,
Jim Dunn, Keith Sealy, Mary Carnahan, Tom Stewart,
Wayne Parnall
Visitors:
Some visitors today including Bruce Falls and others from T.O. Thanks to
our visitors and the volunteers who were out there today to get the count
done... Matt, Jim, Keith, Mary, Chris, Ches, Ernie, Wayne, Tom Stewart and
Bob J.
Weather:
Mostly cloudy all day with a few breaks of sunshine. Winds were moderate to
strong from the NW and it was quite cool starting at 8C and getting to a
high of 14C.
Raptor Observations:
As expected the change in the wind direction and cooler temps got the birds
moving today. Total birds tallied for the day was 683. Of this the bulk
was made up of Sharpies (320) and they were mostly seen everywhere from
Sharpie Alley all the way to the edge of cliff. Other species included a
single Osprey late morning, a lone Bald Eagle very high moving through to
the west, H. Harriers (27) most spotted coming lower over the bushlot and
down towards the cliff, Cooper's Hawks (6), Broadwings (122)...some in
small kettles and others quite high..and a few flying lower just over the
treetops. We did count some TVs (50) as migrants today.
Some falcons today with Kestrels (152) which were seen consistently
throughout the count period and most right over the willows and heading in
off the cliff into the wind and a few Merlins (4) with one in particular
the was circling around near the big elm tree giving everyone nice looks
before taking off like a rocket into the wind to the NW.
Non-raptor Observations:
Although things were very quiet at the Cliff this morning, observers found
a good number of species including 3 that are new for this season including
a Great Egret flying over the tobacco field, 2 Hermit Thrush, and a
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. In addition we had 13 Warbler species found in
several locations up and down the road. These were Magnolia,
Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided, Blackburnian, Yellow-rumped, Palm,
Black-throated Green, Bay-breasted, Black & White, American Redstart,
Wilson's and Common Yellowthroat.
Other highlights were a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers that were spotted by
Matt as they crossed the field from the bush lot and headed off to the
north, a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER (juv.) spotted by Jim along the roadway, 6
Catbirds, a Brown Thrasher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Cedar Waxwings,
Blue-headed and Philadelphia Vireos, 6 Common Loons, Caspian Tern, Tree
Swallows, many Goldfinches on the move and about 4000 Blue Jays crossing
the field by 11 AM. In addition, many observers remarked on their
sightings of Northern Flickers which did seem to be all over the place.
Even observers on the knoll saw several fly by during the morning watch.
Thanks to Matt, Jim and Ernie and Chris for their contributions to today's
list.
A few stalwart monarchs crossed the field in this morning's gloomy
conditions and a few Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were seen zipping across
the field as well.
Predictions:
With winds predicted from the WSW and light for Tuesday and lots of
sunshine the flight will likely be spread inland from the hawkwatch.
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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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