Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 22, 2015
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 1230 21396 21907
Osprey 0 5 122
Bald Eagle 6 67 125
Northern Harrier 55 453 897
Sharp-shinned Hawk 339 3719 8154
Cooper's Hawk 25 116 180
Northern Goshawk 0 4 4
Red-shouldered Hawk 42 192 194
Broad-winged Hawk 0 59 12999
Red-tailed Hawk 172 999 1060
Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
Golden Eagle 1 7 7
American Kestrel 18 327 1932
Merlin 3 28 83
Peregrine Falcon 0 32 76
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: 1891 27405 47741
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Mary Carnahan
Observers: Chris Burris, Ernie Gribble, Jim Dunn, Keith Sealy,
Mac McAlpine, Ronnie Goodhand
Visitors:
Jerry Guenther, Michael & Jim from Guelph. thanks to everyone who
contributed to today's sightings for the report.
Weather:
We had moderate winds ranging from WNW to NW, fairly steady at 16 km / hr
and mostly cloudy to start, but by late morning there was a mix of sun and
cloud. Throughout the last 2 hours, the wind speed rose to 19 km / hr with
almost no clouds at all, and with the birds sky-high, it was really
difficult to spot them against that intense cerulean background. The
temperature was comfortable -- very mild for this time of year -- starting
at 14 C., reaching 19 C. by the end of the day.
Raptor Observations:
Observers tallied a total 1,891 birds today....with 9 species of migratory
raptor plus Turkey Vultures (630). Merlins (3) were tallied early in the
day along with a small number of Kestrels (18). The majority of today's
total were Sharp-shinned Hawks (339). A single Golden Eagle, a beautiful
juvenile, was spotted from the knoll early in the 11:00 hour.
Other species totals were Bald Eagle (6), Northern Harrier (55 of which a
few were adult males), Cooper's Hawk (25), Red-shouldered Hawk (42) and
Red-tailed Hawk (172).
Non-raptor Observations:
As one observer said, there were lots of passerines around, but not a lot
of variety. Since the 20th, large numbers of European Starlings and
American Robins and their songs were heard everywhere! Other flocks seen
today were mixed Blackbirds including mostly Red-wings but also Common
Grackles and Brown-headed Cowbirds. Eastern Bluebirds were heard in the
field at the knoll and flocks were seen flying over as well. Ditto with
Am. Goldfinch. Blue Jays are mostly hanging around in small numbers
compared to the great exodus of a couple of weeks ago. Water birds seen
from the knoll were Canada Goose, Double-crested Cormorant (1), Common Loon
(1), and Mallard. Up and down the road, observers noted Winter Wren,
Eastern Phoebe, White-throated, White-crowned and Song Sparrow, field
Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ruby-crowned & Golden-crowned Kinglets,
Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers and Northern Flicker plus Northern
Cardinal and Bonaparte's Gull.
There were still some butterflies in the weeds along the edge of the fields
today including Cabbage White, Orange & Clouded Sulphur, but the
predominant insects today were Ladybugs.
Predictions:
The forecast is for light winds from the NE overnight and tomorrow morning,
shifting to E in the afternoon. We could have a good flight, but the birds
will potentially be HIGH! Temperature is expected to be slightly cooler
tomorrow reaching an afternoon high of 13C.
Saturday is looking a bit wet with southerly winds, according to the
present forecast -- not great for people or raptors! Keep your fingers
crossed that predicted NW winds for Sunday come to fruition. :)
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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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