Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 29, 2015
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 10 519 24883
Osprey 0 1 124
Bald Eagle 0 25 175
Northern Harrier 2 58 1025
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 46 8390
Cooper's Hawk 4 18 227
Northern Goshawk 0 0 7
Red-shouldered Hawk 24 59 360
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 13000
Red-tailed Hawk 263 1223 3023
Rough-legged Hawk 1 10 12
Golden Eagle 0 21 79
American Kestrel 0 3 1937
Merlin 0 4 93
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: 307 1987 53411
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 14:30:00
Total observation time: 5.5 hours
Official Counter: Mary Carnahan
Observers: Clive Hodder, Don Taylor, Jason McGuire, Jim Dunn,
Keith Sealy
Visitors:
Richard from Guelph.
Weather:
A very COLD day! Light winds this morning picked up around noon with wind
direction consistently from the NE throughout the watch. Todays high was
a sizzling 2 C. but it felt much colder, especially as the day progressed
and the wind speed increased.
Many thanks to Don T, Clive, Keith, Jason, Jim and Richard for their
contributions to both raptor and non-raptor sightings and for their
assistance with keeping todays score!
Raptor Observations:
Putting up with that cold NE wind in our faces was worth it as we reached a
total of 307 migrants including 10 Turkey Vultures and 6 species of
migratory raptor, with Red-tailed Hawks comprising the majority of todays
flight at 263. As well, we had some really good views of 24 Red-shouldered
Hawks and a single Rough-legged Hawk (1). Of the remaining species 2 were
Northern Harriers with 3 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 4 Coopers Hawks. The
only Eagles observed were a local adult pair of Bald Eagles that flew east
along the north end of the field at low altitude, giving observers great
views but no count.
Non-raptor Observations:
With all eyes focused on the sky today, observers had less time to develop
a long list of dickiebirds. Still, watching for migratory raptors can also
yield some rewarding sightings such as todays flocks of Tundra Swans, one
flock skimming the Cliff at the same time that we were watching a flock of
Sandhill Cranes flying directly above us at the Alley! As well, one
sharp-eyed hawkwatcher spotted a single Common Grackle flying west across
the field. The usual mob of Crows flew back and forth and a Northern
Flicker was seen heading northward from the tree line.
Other species observed near the Alley were Blue Jays, Juncos, Am.
Goldfinches, Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatch and
Black-capped Chickadee, while near the parking area were Am. Tree Sparrows,
a single Song Sparrow and a Downy Woodpecker. Eastern Bluebirds were seen
along the roadside just north of Hawk Cliff Rd.
Predictions:
Mondays temperature will be -1 C. to start, but is expected to shoot up to
5 C. by early afternoon. E winds will be moderate to brisk at 20 kph to
start the day with a mix of sun and cloud. The wind is expected to
diminish somewhat as the day goes on. Birds will likely be high for most
of the day because of that easterly flow.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Mary Carnahan ([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
