Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 26, 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 3 3 Bald Eagle 0 0 0 Northern Harrier 1 4 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 7 7 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 3 3 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 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 Total: 5 17 17 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Mary Carnahan Observers: Jim Dunn Visitors: Visitors were Bill and Cathy from London. Weather: The weather this morning was less sunny than predicted, as this low pressure system keeps hanging around; cloudy cool conditions prevailed throughout the watch. From time to time we had a few sunny breaks but they were short-lived. Winds shifted from W to WNW and back again and finally, by noon, it started to rain. That seemed like a sign that the hawk watch should close for the day. Raptor Observations: Not a lot was going on today, even among the locals consisting of 2 lazy TVs and 1 adult plus 1 immature Bald Eagle. During the second hour a Sharp-shin was seen hunting along the line of willows opposite the mound, but it didnt go anywhere except into the treeline. Those that did cross the field today were 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 1 Northern Harrier. The Sharp-shins that crossed the field all headed due west without any fuss, the first two in the first hour, shortly after 7:00 AM. Non-raptor Observations: We had some interesting new sightings for the season, including 2 Common Loons headed sou th along the treeline towards the lake. As well, Jim spotted a Wood Duck. In addition, we had the usual Canada Geese, Double-crested Cormorant (only 1), and Great Blue Heron (1). Including those and other regulars along with a few new species we tallied 40 non-raptor species today! Highlights were Warbling and Philadelphia Vireos, Tree, Barn and a few Bank Swallows, 7 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the first hour and several more throughout the watch, 5 Warbler species including Yellow, Am. Redstart, Blackburnian, Tennessee and Nashville which is # 13 for us this season. There is still an abundance of Gray Catbirds and Baltimore Orioles. AS well, Rose-breasted Grosbeak are regularly seen near the cliff as well as up the road in the entrance to the woods. House wrens seem to be everywhere, Eastern Towhee can be found near the cliff and in a few more spots as you go up the road and Am. Goldfinch have been flying westward in small flocks, while others are hanging around enjoying their day in the goldenrod which of course is found all up and down the road as well as along the cliff. Butterflies and Dragonflies didnt really get going in any numbers today, given the persistent cloud cover, but we did see a few other critters of interest. Jim saw a deer and her fawn in the field early in the watch and while searching for warblers across from the knoll, we noticed a short-tailed brown weasel poking his face out of the brush he appeared to be inspecting the new fence! Predictions: Winds are expected to be Westerly and fairly light (10k / hr) in the morning with a 40% chance of showers. Wind will shift to NW remain fairly light for the afternoon, bringing decreased humidity and some sunshine with a comfortable high of 20C. We might get a bit of a flight in the afternoon, but the wind is expected to shift back to SW for Friday with rising temperatures once more, so things dont look good for raptor migration from Friday until into next week and tomorrow is iffy at best. Still, those songbirds continue to pour through! ======================================================================== 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
