Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 03, 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 36 86 24450 Osprey 1 1 124 Bald Eagle 0 2 152 Northern Harrier 12 15 982 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 20 8364 Cooper's Hawk 2 7 216 Northern Goshawk 0 0 7 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 10 311 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 13000 Red-tailed Hawk 9 181 1981 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 2 Golden Eagle 0 5 63 American Kestrel 0 0 1934 Merlin 1 3 92 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 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: 64 330 51754 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours Official Counter: Jim Dunn Observers: Don Taylor, Keith Sealy, Mac McAlpine, Mary Carnahan Visitors: There were lots of visitors along Hawk Cliff Rd today, enjoying the sunshine and butterflies, etc. No names were obtained. Weather: Another beatiful day at Hawk Cliff, but with very moderate temperatures (high of 20 C.) and almost no wind although what there was a combination of W and S, we did not have a great flight of migratory raptors. There was absolutely no cloud in the sky all day -- nothing but clear, blue sky and a slight breeze. All migrants that were spotted flew really low throughout the watch. Raptor Observations: Given the weather conditions, we were suprised that there was a flight today, but eventually we tallied a total of 64 migrants of which only 56% were Turkey Vultures (36). The remaining 44 % were migratory raptors, mainly Northern Harriers with a total of 12 of which 3 of the last 4 were adult males beautiful! All of todays Harriers were spotted from the observation knoll at the Cliff. We spent the last hour and a half at the B&B, as there seemed to be a line of TVs there and, in fact, we picked up the bulk of the TV count at that location plus 7 of the Red-tails (9 in total) and the single Merlin that crossed the field in apparent pursuit of a TV. Once the Merlin made contact, he jabbed the TV from behind for several metres before they both crossed the road and disappeared from our line of vision. In addition, we counted 2 Coopers Hawks, both of which flew right across the knoll at very low altitude, 3 Sharp-shins, and todays bonus bird a late Osprey spotted flying low along the Cliff! 2 or possibly 3 local adult Bald Eagles flew low making passes along the Cliff and above Sharpie Alley. Non-raptor Observations: Once again, there was lots of passerine activity, although not a lot of birdsong. In fact, things were pretty quiet, so some of the sightings were quite surprising. We had no big flocks headed west today. Nevertheless, there were Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles in abundance plus Robins, European Starlings Blue Jays ad a nice array of birds in the bushes, trees and shrubs, including highlights, Great Blue Heron, Purple Finch, Brown Thrasher and Gray Catbird. As well, observers reported 5 Eastern Bluebirds along Dexter Ln, a large flock of Cedar Waxwings at the entrance to Hawk Cliff Woods, plus the following: Hermit Thrush, Golden-and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Black-capped Chickadee, Am. Goldfinch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Cardinal and Dark-eyed Junco. Other reports included 4 Woodpecker species (Downy, Red-breasted & Pileated plus Northern Flicker) and 4 Sparrow species (White-throated, White-crowned, Fox & Am. Tree). And there were lots of insects, mainly annoying ladybugs, but also 1 Monarch Butterfly in front of the observation knoll and several sightings of Clouded & Orange Sulphurs, plus a very conspicuous Eastern Comma that got into someones car. Topping that, a single Green Darner crossed the road right beside us at the B&B! Predictions: That southerly flow will continue at least until the weekend. Tomorrow looks like another nice day, but not great for viewing or photographing migratory raptors at Hawk Cliff moderate, S wind all day, balmy temperature (high of 19 C.), lots of sunshine. ======================================================================== 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
