Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 21, 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 199 16467 16625 Osprey 0 42 185 Bald Eagle 0 45 144 Northern Harrier 9 489 975 Sharp-shinned Hawk 19 6345 11594 Cooper's Hawk 1 264 313 Northern Goshawk 0 6 6 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 37 37 Broad-winged Hawk 0 762 73018 Red-tailed Hawk 3 275 299 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 22 22 American Kestrel 1 2311 5033 Merlin 1 73 131 Peregrine Falcon 0 15 38 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 0 1 Total: 234 27153 108421 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Colin Horstead Observers: Clive Hodder, Jim Dunn, Kathy, Mary Carnahan Visitors: A few visitors today...Bruce and Monica Gates (Sudbury) and Ann Goulden (Sarnia). Thanks to the counters and observer for today...Colin , Clive H., Kathy, mary and Jim. Weather: Winds were moderate from the W then backing slightly to the WNW. Temps were cooler...starting at 7C and getting to a high of 12C under solid cloud cover for the day. Raptor Observations: A smaller flight today with a total of just 234 birds tallied. The majority of this count was TVs (199) with other species ...Harriers (9), Sharpies (19), Redtails (3) and singles of Cooper's Hawk, Red-shoulder, Kestrel and Merlin. All these birds were easily eye-balled passing just above treetop height. Non-raptor Observations: Despite the wind, cool temps, angry sky and occasional drizzle, it was a great day for non-raptor birding at Hawk Cliff and at the B&B. Early-morning hawkwatchers at the observation knoll spotted 63 Common Loons in loose flocks, one consisting of 12 birds which were "scattered over the sky". Other species seen on the wing were a Pileated Woodpecker, assorted Blackbirds including Grackles and Starlings, plus a flock of Red-breasted Mergansers which is a first for this fall at Hawk Cliff. Birding the roadway yielded WT Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, RC Kinglets, DE Juncos and Am. Robins...and other great finds including several Blue-Headed Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler, a few White-crowned Sparrows, G.C. Kinglets, YB Sapsucker and 2 E. Phoebes. BC Chickadees, Song Sparrows, Cardinals and Blue Jays were also part of the mix. The dogwood and olive bushes north of the gate at Sharpie Alley were full of Hermit Thrush and at least 2 very late Swainson's Thrush. At this location a larger flock of blackbirds lit on the trees on the west side of the road and among them were at least 20 Rusty Blackbirds. Later in the morning and into the early afternoon, noteworthy non-raptor sightings continued, some commonplace, some downright amazing. A flock of about 100 Crows flew about, sometimes interfering with TV counting; a few Northern Flickers also flew to and fro; 6 Killdeer, 5 Wood Ducks, a Great Blue Heron, and a Kingfisher were spotted as well. 7 Horned Larks were larking about in the field in front of observers and towards the end of the afternoon, a flock of 12 Eastern Meadowlarks flew across the field, heading straight for the observers, and passing low overhead. Despite the deteriorating light conditions, the birds were so low we were able to see colours and field marks clearly. What a sight! ======================================================================== 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/
