Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 28, 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 30 26292 26412 Osprey 0 35 118 Bald Eagle 0 46 104 Northern Harrier 1 263 656 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 4346 8922 Cooper's Hawk 0 194 264 Northern Goshawk 0 11 12 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 368 368 Broad-winged Hawk 0 155 70719 Red-tailed Hawk 0 1895 1921 Rough-legged Hawk 0 4 4 Golden Eagle 0 53 53 American Kestrel 0 705 2450 Merlin 0 37 79 Peregrine Falcon 0 118 163 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: 31 34522 112246 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 2 hours Official Counter: Mary Carnahan Observers: Keith Sealy Visitors: None today. Weather: Not a great day for hawk watching at the Cliff nor at the B&B with birds just trickling through basically one or two at a time. The weather was a balmy 18 C. and breezy and except for the low, thick cloud cover, it was a rather pleasant day to be out birdwatching. It didn't rain at all during the couple of hours of the count. Raptor Observations: A total of just 31 birds with TVs (30) and a lone N. Harrier. TVs were scattered and seemed to find the strong SW winds a bit of a challenge, some tacking across the fields. The lone Northern Harrier appeared almost on the dot of 10:00 AM with a single TV and crossed the road north of the B&B. Non-raptor Observations: Other than the mobs of Am. Robins and Cedar Waxwings enjoying the abundance of berry crops near the wouth end of Hawk Cliff Rd., there wasn't a lot happening non-raptorwise. Other species included a single Cormorant, singles also of Northern Flicker, Red-bellied and Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch and Song Sparrow. In addition, a few Blue Jays were seen and heard calling from the woods, numerous BC Chickadees were found near Sharpie Alley, and a few other species were seen in various locations including 2 Eastern Bluebirds, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a few White-throated Sparrows, Pipits in the field, a pair of Cardinals and a few DE Juncos near Sharpie Alleyand at least 75 Crows plus 150+ European Starlings foraging in the field at the B&B. Along the roadside at Sharpie Alley we had a few interesting insect sightings including 1 Eastern Comma, 3 Meadowhawks (dragonflies) and 1 Shadow Darner. Predictions: Forecast is for lots of sunshine but winds are supposed to be from the W which can hold back the flight. However, with lots of sun you can get thermals which will give the birds the lift they need so this could help with the flight. It then gets more interesting for Thu, Fri and Sat with winds turning to the NW and serious drop in temps that could get the birds moving. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Brown ([email protected]) Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch information may be found at: http://www.ezlink.on.ca/~thebrowns/HawkCliff/index.htm _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
