Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 04, 2014
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 15 15 135
Osprey 4 5 88
Bald Eagle 0 0 58
Northern Harrier 3 4 397
Sharp-shinned Hawk 5 45 4621
Cooper's Hawk 1 2 72
Northern Goshawk 0 0 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 0 1 70565
Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 26
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 7 24 1769
Merlin 0 0 42
Peregrine Falcon 14 43 88
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: 49 139 77863
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 6 hours
Official Counter: Jim Dunn
Observers: Bob Johnstone, Chris Burris, Dave Brown, Keith Sealy,
Mary Carnahan
Visitors:
A few visitors today braving the wind and sand. Thanks to Jim, Mary, Chris,
Keith, Bob J and Dave B. for hanging out through the weather and adding to
our Peregrine count.
Weather:
Winds today continued strong from the WSW then to the SW and finally round
to the W which basically stopped the flight. Heavy overcast first thing in
the morning brought rain showers across the hawkwatch from the lake.
Eventually the clouds began to break and the remainder of the day was
mostly cloudy with a bit of sun. The temp was much cooler after the passage
of the cold front across the region getting to a high of just 9C.
Raptor Observations:
With the heavy SW winds and sand blowing up over the cliff edge it was once
again a "Peregrine" day for migration. A total of 14 of these amazing
flyers winged past observers today and most were "on the deck"! The
majority of these birds were adults with a few youngsters. At one point
while watching an approaching adult Peregrine an immature Bald Eagle headed
back to the east literally crossed paths in the same binocular view...and
in fact were photographed by Chris B. (great shot!). There were a few
other birds on the move including Osprey (3) all struggling westward, N.
Harriers (3) which passed by just a few feet off the ground, Sharpies (5),
Kestrels (7) one of which was spotted diving at a passing local Bald Eagle,
a single Cooper's Hawk hunting in the ravine area and TVs (15) that
appeared to be on the move though slowly into the wind.
Non-raptor Observations:
What a difference a day makes! The shift from yesterday's SE wind to
today's SW brought great sightings of many songbird species including 5
(FIVE!) NEW species for this season. These were Horned Lark, Winter Wren,
Gray-cheeked Thrush, Pine Siskin and a NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW
spotted by Chris Burris. Other notable species included Blue-headed Vireo,
Carolina and House Wren, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
White-throated and Song Sparrow, Barn and Tree Swallow, Common Loon, Gray
Catbird, Eastern Bluebird and Eastern Towhee. In addition observers
reported 5 Woodpecker species which were Pileated, Hairy, Red-bellied
Woodpecker plus Northern Flicker and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. What's
more,mobs of Black-capped Chickadees were found near the ravine and to top
it all off, Jim found a single RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD zipping westward
just below the cliff.
Blue Jays began moving early in the day, but only about 50 were counted
before the rain set in. In the next hour we had about 1000 followed by the
same number in the third hour for a total of 2050. After that the flight
became sporadic and by then everyone's attention had become focused on the
excitement that accompanies Peregrines along the cliff, so the periodic
bursts of Blue Jays along the ravine went uncounted.
Despite the relentless wind and sand, Monarch Butterflies continued to
fight their way across the field; they were mainly noticed during sunny
breaks when as many as half a dozen could be seen heading for the treeline
behind the knoll. Their passage was especially notable during the high
winds of mid- to late-afternoon, as the Monarchs struggled that last 5 or 6
feet towards the treeline, apparently looking for roosting spots. Although
a few Mosquitoes found those observers who ventured into the bushes looking
for songbirds, no Dragonflies were reported today.
Predictions:
More unsettled weather for Sunday with forecast WSW to SW winds. I suspect
there may be more Peregrines to come tomorrow though how many will depend
on how SW the winds turn. If the winds are too westerly it could stall the
flight...as will any rain showers in the area.
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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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