Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 16, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 1525 8458 8819 Osprey 3 39 357 Bald Eagle 2 79 281 Northern Harrier 14 267 760 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1188 4205 10197 Cooper's Hawk 32 204 356 Northern Goshawk 1 5 9 Red-shouldered Hawk 2 147 148 Broad-winged Hawk 0 16 34424 Red-tailed Hawk 66 1105 1274 Rough-legged Hawk 6 7 7 Golden Eagle 1 7 7 American Kestrel 43 533 3948 Merlin 5 59 171 Peregrine Falcon 0 58 113 Unknown 0 21 96 Prairie Falcon 0 1 1 Total: 2888 15211 60968 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Ches Caister Observers: Colin Horstead, Dave Brown, Keith Sealy, Tom Thomas Visitors: Quite a few folks out again today...several for their first time including Pat Martin from Guelph Field Naturalists and others whose names we didn't get. :) Otherwise it was the usual suspects. Thanks to all who helped spot birds today...especially with the flight being all over the place. Weather: Well...as predicted...fairly strong NW winds today and cooler temps. However, the rain was still falling in the Hawk Cliff area first thing this morning when the counters arrived. Normally, this would curtail any kind of flight...BUT NO...the birds were flying anyways!! Eventually, the skies broke out with patches of blue with the sun poking through. Raptor Observations: First thing this morning...IN THE RAIN NO LESS...in the span of just 70 minutes, the counters had an unbelievable 757 Sharpies go through!! It was like the flood gates had opened. :) Although we did not break our current 1-day record Sharpie count, this is still a very high number of Sharpies for an October day. Our current 1-day record counts are from September (2,994 on Sept. 13, 1986 and 1,663 on Sept. 22, 1974). Other notable sighting today included 3 really nice DARK PHASE ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS along with 3 other Light Phase Roughs, a juvenile GOLDEN EAGLE, an adult PEREGRINE FALCON and a juvenile GOSHAWK right on the deck to the left of the counters. Non-raptor Observations: Other birds that were noted...several Towhees, American Pipits, lots of White-throated Sparrows...a few Common Loons headed out across the lake. Predictions: Its calling for the day to start with moderate to strong NW winds...eventually backing to W...and fair with almost no chance of rain. This could provide a decent flight in the morning...but with it coming to a halt once the winds go W. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Brown ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch information may be found at: http://www.ezlink.on.ca/~thebrowns/HawkCliff/index.htm Site Description: Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch: Oldest Hawkwatch in Ontario - since 1931 - located just east of Port Stanley on the cliff overlooking Lake Erie Directions to site: >From east 401, take the Highbury south cut off at London, follow Highbury (Hwy 30) south to St. Thomas. Highbury changes into South Edgeware at a large curve in the road to the west. Follow South Edgeware west to the first set of traffic lights - Burwell Road, turn left (south) and stay on this road. It becomes Fairview Ave (Regional Road 22), which runs directly into Hawk Cliff Road. You will see a sign for Hawkes Cliff Farm, where they sell fresh vegetables and a gravel road just beyond sign. Just continue down gravel road to viewing area. >From west 401, take the Highway # 4 (Colonel Talbot Rd.) exit south, through Talbotville, road now is Sunset Rd. continue towards St. Thomas; you will come to a veer in the road, straight up to St. Thomas, veer to the right for Port Stanley, follow Highway 4, now Sunset to Port Stanley. As you approach Port Stanley you will come to a large curve in the road with a sign saying East St, to the left. Take East St., and follow it to the first road left, (opposite Port Stanley Water Tower) Dexter Line. Follow Dexter Line approximately 2 km. and turn right down gravel road at Hawkes Cliff Farm, and follow gravel road to viewing area
