Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 15, 2007
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 13 18
Osprey 9 112 114
Bald Eagle 31 107 109
Northern Harrier 121 435 438
Sharp-shinned Hawk 880 4799 4804
Cooper's Hawk 13 48 49
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 22337 36159 36160
Red-tailed Hawk 3 6 10
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 542 1950 1997
Merlin 11 92 92
Peregrine Falcon 1 6 6
Unknown 6 7
Total: 23948 43733 43804
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Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 11 hours
Official Counter: Dave Brown
Observers: Alf Rider, Brian Hawthorne, Ches Caister, Colin Horstead,
Dave Verkley, Derek Lyon, Eric Single, Jennifer Lyon,
Keith Sealy, Paul Brown, Rebecca Vile, Su Ross-Redmond,
Tim Foran, Tom Bolohan, Tom Thomas, Wayne Parnall
Visitors:
Estimates for todays crowd at the first 2007 Hawk Cliff Weekend ran upward
of 500 visitors. My thanks to everyone who helped with todays count...at
least 16 spotters and the official counters made for a formidable team.
Weather:
Overcast and rain to begin the day...but clear skies both east and west of
Hawk Cliff. Eventually, the skies cleared to fairly high ceiling of
cumulous...with large breaks of blue. Winds were very strong from the NW
and remained so all day. Temp was much cooler after the passage of a fairly
strong cold front that drop across the Great Lakes region Friday night.
Raptor Observations:
A fantastic flight today on strong NW winds and cooler temps. Our total was
23,948 birds... the majority of which were Broadwings (22,337) followed by
Sharpies (880) and Kestrels (542). Other highlights were Bald Eagles (31)
with some nice looks at very low birds providing great photo ops. Another
good day for Northern Harriers (121) and right near the end of the day a
lone juvenile Peregrine.
Non-raptor Observations:
Of note were at least 20 Common Loons and 6 Cormorants.
Predictions:
Light W and SW winds will likely slow the flight...but we could see some
good birda along the cliff.
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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
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
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