Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 06, 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 3 30 34 Bald Eagle 0 3 3 Northern Harrier 13 26 31 Sharp-shinned Hawk 22 37 45 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 95 221 230 Merlin 1 5 5 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: 134 322 348 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Jennifer Lyon Observers: Derek Lyon, Jim Dunn, Keith Sealy, Mary Carnahan Visitors: Thanks to regulars Keith Sealy, Jim Dunn, Cary Graham, and Mary Carnahan for their contributions today. Thanks also to Visitors, Elizabeth and Bob from London. Weather: Last nights forecast for high temps and humidex today was right on. Wind direction was SW and the highest wind speed we experienced today was 10 km / hr, so very little breeze came by the observation knoll. The heat was compounded by the lack of shade on the knoll except for a couple of hours following the noon hour. Nevertheless, both raptors and observers were on hand and the pace was steady until the last hour. Cloud cover was variable throughout the day and folks on the knoll even heard some thunder around mid-day. By 2:00 PM, there were clouds on the horizons, but above and in front of observers was clear, cerulean blue. Raptor Observations: We tallied a total of 134 raptors today composed of 5 species. These were Osprey (3), Northern Harrier (13), Sharp-shinned Hawk (22), American Kestrel (95), Merlin (1). The only Merlin came through in the last hour, taking time out to chase a local Bald Eagle seen in the bite, an opening in the line of willows that runs north starting right at the cliffs edge. After that quick diversion, the Merlin got back on course and zoomed westward along the cliff, over the treeline and out of sight. The AKs were fairly steady throughout the day but peaked during the 11 oclock hour at 24, then dropped off to just 3 between 12 and 1; with numbers rising again through the last 2 hours of the watch. Bald Eagles cruised back and forth very low at the cliff throughout the watch. Observers are beginning to recognize individuals, having seen them so often in the past few days. Non-raptor Observations: Monarch Butterflies were on the move again today with 33 counted between 7:30 AM and 2:00 PM. On the avian front, observers reported a total of 3 New Species today, starting with Shorebirds; From the observation knoll, observers spotted a large shorebird as it flew east along the cliff, and was identified by Derek as a Whimbrel. The Whimbrel flew down below the cliff but not before giving the observers a really good view. Shortly thereafter, a Black-Bellied Plover landed in the field! Around mid-day, the heritage mulberry tree was a very active spot with numerous warblers, including the third New Species for this season which was a Black-throated Green Warbler. Other warbler species were Magnolia, Cape May, Blackpoll, Canada, Black & White , Tennessee Warblers plus Am. Redstart and Ovenbird. In addition, birders in that location had a great view of a male Scarlett Tanager. Other species seen today included Chimney Swift, Baltimore Oriole, Swainsons Thrush, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Gray Catbird, Eastern Towhee, Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos, Red-breasted and Downy Woodpeckers, House Wren, Least Flycatcher and Great Crested Flycatcher. Rodents were also represented today, as a groundhog provided good looks for folks on the knoll. Predictions: A few clouds are expected overnight with tomorrows weather much like todays except that highs are expected to reach and exceed 30 degrees Celsius by 12:00 PM. Winds will be a bit stronger than today reaching 18 to 20 km / hr. There is the possibility of a thunder shower tomorrow evening and again Tuesday morning with very light winds from the N / NE, shifting late morning to, once again, a southerly flow. This isnt a great forecast for migrating raptors, but the birds kept coming through yesterday and today; numbers arent likely to be any higher than the past two days counts. ======================================================================== 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
