Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 03, 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 2 2 24885 Osprey 0 0 124 Bald Eagle 0 2 180 Northern Harrier 2 3 1030 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 1 8391 Cooper's Hawk 0 4 231 Northern Goshawk 0 1 8 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 365 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 13000 Red-tailed Hawk 1 9 3111 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 13 Golden Eagle 1 4 85 American Kestrel 0 0 1937 Merlin 0 0 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: 6 28 53529 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Mary Carnahan Observers: Jim Dunn, Keith Sealy, Mac McAlpine, Ronnie Goodhand Visitors: Norman Holden lent a hand. Weather: Moderate winds from the WNW and partial sun and cloud were what we had been waiting for and almost exactly what we got, plus a bit of morning haze. Temperatures were great, starting at 3 C., rising to 6 by 1:00 PM but the cloud was variable, so that right in the middle of our day, dark, heavy cloud moved in from the NW and it almost seemed like it was going to snow, the sun disappeared, wind picked up and at the B&B, we were cold! Gradually, however, that cleared out and we were back to sun / cloud mix, and mainly Westerly winds. Raptor Observations: So with these near perfect conditions, where were the birds?! Thanks to Ronnie, Keith, Jim, Mac and Norman for hanging in for five hours for the grand total of 6 birds, of which 2 were Turkey Vultures. Both appeared in the east and flew west, unlike the TV circuit we see most days now, with the "locals" flying back and forth from the water tower to the B&B, so they were counted. As well, we picked up 2 Northern Harriers, 1 Red-tailed Hawk and a single, gorgeous Golden Eagle (1), last bird of the day! Non-raptor Observations: There is still lots of passerine activity happening along Hawk Cliff Rd, although apparently we are down to one Sparrow Species (Am. Tree), other than the House Sparrows at the corner. A lovely flock of about 20 Eastern Bluebirds entertained both morning and afternoon near Sharpie Alley and 6 more were seen on the wires along Dexter Ln. Observers did well in the Woodpecker department also with sightings of Downy (at least 4), Hairy, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpeckers plus Northern Flicker. Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Am. Goldfinch, Red-winged Blackbird and Golden-crowned Kinglet were other highlights of the day. In addition, observers reported lots of Herring and Ring-billed Gulls plus a single Bonaparte's Gull, spotted in the field at the B&B. Predictions: The forecast for Friday varies depending on one's source. There is general agreement that the wind will be mainly Westerly -- not our favourite choice because it is a headwind that birds have to fight against. What's more, there is a good chance the wind will come more from the SW and windspeed is expected to be strong (25 kph with even higher gusts). That will blow any birds that are "in our pipeline" away from the lake, so these are not conditions conducive to finding migrants flying through the Hawk Cliff site. The SW winds will likely continue at least through the weekend bringing great weather with pleasant temperatures. ======================================================================== 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
