Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 23, 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 5 14825 15067 Osprey 0 21 206 Bald Eagle 5 86 331 Northern Harrier 77 613 1845 Sharp-shinned Hawk 136 5244 14690 Cooper's Hawk 1 231 420 Northern Goshawk 0 14 14 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 256 257 Broad-winged Hawk 0 7 41018 Red-tailed Hawk 0 801 852 Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 2 Golden Eagle 0 8 8 American Kestrel 10 712 4414 Merlin 6 49 241 Peregrine Falcon 1 114 144 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 3 Unknown Buteo 0 5 7 Unknown Falcon 0 0 2 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 4 Total: 241 22990 79525 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 9.5 hours Official Counter: Colin Horstead Observers: Dave Brown, Ronnie Goodhand, Su Ross-Redmond, Wayne Parnall Visitors: A few visitors today including John and Thomas...also Rodger and Jane from the U.K. ...The rest were the usual brave souls (or maybe just crazies) that feel they have to sit out in the rain watching for migrating raptors!! My thanks to everyone that helped out today despite the crappy weather. Weather: Lots of rain today that didn't let up until midafternoon. Very heavy overcast even after the rain had stopped. Winds were strong from the N and NW for most of the day till later in the afternoon. Temp was much cooler today dropping from a high of 14 C to just 8 C. Raptor Observations: Despite the rain the birds were moving and the total for todays flight was 241. The Harriers (77) put on a good show today as they crossed low over the field in front of the count area. Interestingly, the majority (at least 70%) of these Harriers were adult males!! We don't usually see the males till later in the season... typically once the snow flies. We also got another Peregrine today bringing the season total to 144. Non-raptor Observations: Lots of large mixed flocks of Blackbirds today along with many other passerine flocks including one of 13 Eastern Bluebirds. We also had a Gray-cheeked Thrush that was looking very wet and bedraggled and trying to catch bugs on the roadway behind the counters. Predictions: Wednesday looks very promising with predicted moderate to strong NW and N winds. If the day starts with a mix of sun and cloud then it could setup for a really nice flight. :) ======================================================================== 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 _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdshow.htm ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm
