Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 06, 2008
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 8 30 31
Bald Eagle 10 14 16
Northern Harrier 19 24 24
Sharp-shinned Hawk 100 178 180
Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 22 23 31
Red-tailed Hawk 1 1 3
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 68 109 125
Merlin 9 10 10
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 1 1 1
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 238 390 421
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Dave Brown
Observers: Dean Stack, Derek Lyon, Don Taylor, Jason McGuire,
Jennifer Lyon, Mark Cunningham, Mary Carnahan,
Ronnie Goodhand, Shay Redmond, Su Ross-Redmond
Visitors:
Lots of visitors today (27) along with quite a few of the usual counters /
spotters (12)
Weather:
Great hawkwatching weather today with light to moderate NE and NW winds.
Temp was comfortable for the day with a high of just 17C. Pretty much 100%
cloud cover for the morning...then breaking out fairly quickly to a nearly
cloudless sky.
Raptor Observations:
An excellent flight today considering its just the first week of September.
The tally was 238 birds with the majority Sharpies (100) and Kestrels (68).
Merlins (9) put on a nice show today with a couple of them screaming by
right overhead. The Broadwings (22) were just a precursor of what should be
(hopefully) much larger flights over the next week or so. Also of interest
today were Bald Eagles (10). We only counted immature eagles (at least AHY
or older) since a suspected local adult pair and two HY ealges passed
through the hawkwatch area several times throughout the day. Other birds
included Osprey (8) and Harrier (19)...one of which was an adult male that
circled right over the bushlot in front of us before heading quickly
westward.
Non-raptor Observations:
Once again the warblers were numerous and very active in and around the
hawkwatch area. Several birders reported at least 11 species of warbler
including Black-throated Blue, Blackburnian, Blackpoll, Chestnut-sided,
Magnolia, Common-yellowthroat, Nashville, Redstart, Wilson's, Ovenbird and
Tennessee. Also reported were Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Common Nighthawk (4),
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Common Loon (5).
Predictions:
If the rain holds off...and with predicted moderate to light NW
winds...there may be a small flight for Sunday.
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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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