Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 27, 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 17 134 136 Osprey 1 104 119 Bald Eagle 4 98 98 Northern Harrier 16 413 446 Sharp-shinned Hawk 185 4949 4982 Cooper's Hawk 1 43 43 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 29 72221 72254 Red-tailed Hawk 0 21 24 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 50 2481 2579 Merlin 3 39 49 Peregrine Falcon 0 12 12 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 Swainson's Hawk 0 1 1 Total: 306 80516 80743 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Colin Horstead Observers: Jim Dunn, Keith Sealy, Mary Carnahan Visitors: A few visitors today...Alex Fischer (London), John Kirkland (London) and Brian Innes (Kitchener). Thanks as always to the counters Colin, Jim, Keith and Mary for putting in some tough hours today to get a really good count. Weather: A tough start today with lots of humidity...and about half the sky covered in cloud. Temp began at 15C and got to a high of 19C. Winds were W and light then backed slightly to SW. Raptor Observations: Total birds for the day was 306....again a pretty good flight given the starting conditions weatherwise. A definite highlight was a kettle of 13 Shrapies. The flight consisted of Sharpies (185), Kestrels (50), BW's (29) stilll trickling through, TV's (17), Osprey (1), Bald Eagle (4), Harriers (16), a lone Cooper's Hawk and Merlin (3). Non-raptor Observations: Spotted from the mound today were 1 each of Common Loon and Double-crested Cormorant, 3 Killdeer, 2 Chimney Swifts and 25 - 30 American Golden Plovers. As well, Blue Jays streamed from early morning until around noon for a total of 7200. Small flocks of American Goldfinch were seen sporadically, flying across the field. Lots of small songbirds were in the bushes and trees again today both near the cliff and farther up the road, especially near Sharpie Alley early this morning. The majority of warbers were Blackpoll, with a nice variety of others including a Common Yellowthroat, a species which hasn't been reported for several days. Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Red-eyed Vireos were also noted in a couple of locations and Thrushes were well represented today with sightings of Gray-cheeked Thrush, American Robins, and Eastern Bluebirds. Again today, Gray Catbirds were both vocal and visible in every location up and down the road, near the mound, in the woods, etc. White-throated Sparrows are now a predominant species, being found in almost as many locations today as the catbirds. However, only 1 Song Sparrow was located. On the other hand, a pair of Eastern Towhees put in a nice appearance near the mulberry tree south of the parking lot. There was some good Woodpecker action again today with several very nice sightings of the Pileated Pair, Downy Woodpeckers in most areas, and 4 Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers spread out in the various willow patches near the Alley and near the cliff. By afternoon, butterflies and dragonflies were about, with a few nice sightings. Monarchs are still flying westward across the field all the way from the cliff to Sharpie Alley. As well, both Clouded and Orange Sulphurs were noted up and down the road, while a single Great Spangled Fritillary was seen below the cliff, and a lone Mourning Cloak spotted near the Alley this afternoon. Common Buckeyes and Eastern Tailed Blue were easy to find along the edge of the beanfield were seen west of the parking area, The predominant dragonfly species is still Black Saddlebags, although numerous Common Green Darners were seen as well, and a Shadow Darner was found near the pond. Predictions: Once again...not the best winds predicted for tomorrow...but if the rain holds off another small flight is possible. It's looking interesting toward the end of the week...especially as we approach Peregrine primetime...so any strong SW wind is what to watch for. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Brown ([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 visit http://www.ofo.ca/
