Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 23, 2011
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 4291 31525 31683
Osprey 1 43 186
Bald Eagle 3 68 167
Northern Harrier 23 540 1026
Sharp-shinned Hawk 278 7153 12402
Cooper's Hawk 21 301 350
Northern Goshawk 3 10 10
Red-shouldered Hawk 3 45 45
Broad-winged Hawk 0 763 73019
Red-tailed Hawk 24 325 349
Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
Golden Eagle 4 34 34
American Kestrel 9 2331 5053
Merlin 4 84 142
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: 4664 43238 124506
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Colin Horstead
Observers: Ches Caister, Dave Brown, Dave Verkley, Jacques Giraud,
Jim Dunn, Mac McAlpine, Maris Apse, Mark Cunningham,
Mary Carnahan, Paul Thomas, Phil Waggett, Ronnie Goodhand,
Rose, Tom Stewart
Visitors:
There were a few visitors today...though the only names we got were Ray
Thompson (London) and Tim (London). Thanks to the many observers and
counters that made it out today...Colin, Paul T., Dave B., Jim, Mac, Phil,
Mary, Ronnie, Mark, Dave V., Ches, Tom S., Rose, Maris and Jacques.
Weather:
A beautiful sunny day welcomed hawkwatchers today...with a bit warmer temps
to a high of 18C. Clouds did move in a bit by the 3rd hour but broke out
again to provide just the right amount of backdrop for easier viewing...but
with good light to pick up colour on the birds. Winds were non-existent to
start...slowly picking up from the SW but swinging S for the remainder of
the day...not great for keeping the birds down at the lake and coming by
the hawkwatch!
Raptor Observations:
Despite the poor wind direction...there must;ve been lots of birds that had
made it to the lakeshore area to our east...and the total count for the day
was 4,664 birds. No surpirse that most of the flight consisted of TVs
(4,291) rising up in kettles of 50 to 100 at a time then quickly streaming
westward across the wind.
Oter species seen today included a single Osprey, Bald Eagle (3), Harriers
(23), another decent flight of Sharpies (278 - lots of adult birds),
Cooper's Hawks (21), a few more Goshawks (3 - including 1 Ad. and 2 Juv.),
just a few Red-shoulders (3) as we continue to wait for their migration to
get going, a small count of Redtails (24), more Golden Eagles (4) to
highlight the day...and for falcons...Kestrels (9) and Merlins (4).
Non-raptor Observations:
Non-raptor sightings were very similar to those from the past two days but
with a few highlights. Tufted Titmouse was both seen and heard in the
woods this morning, but took a dive just as a Coop flew through the
treetops. 7 Tundra Swans were spotted by hawkwatchers, 2 at the Cliff
early and 5 later in the day at the B&B. A few Gray Catbirds were spotted
up and down the road along with many Hermit Thrush, RC Kinglets, and a
couple of GC Kinglets. Cedar Waxwings were found in the dogwood near
Sharpie Alley and Bluebirds can still be found both north and south of
Dexter Line.
Flocks of mixed Blackbirds continued their westward journey today with
many stopping over in the woodlot on the west side of Hawk Cliff Rd. Rusty
Blackbirds were spotted today mixed in with Grackles and Red-wings, and a
few Eastern Meadowlarks were spotted flying along the Cliff as well as at
the B&B.
An American Woodcock was seen in the shrubbery and weeds near the Cliff
and a Wilson's Snipe flew across the field in front of hawkwatchers at the
B&B.
6 Sparrow Species were reported again today including Field, Vesper,
White-crowned, White-throated, Song and Swamp.
Folks who stayed at the Cliff in the late morning and early to
mid-afternoon reported seeing Monarch butterflies as well as an Eastern
Comma, multiples of Buckeye, Cabbage White, Orange and Clouded Sulphur and
what observers identified as a Fiery Skipper found and photographed sitting
in the sunshine on a car bumper (recognizing that this is an uncommon
species in Ontario...but the timing and location fit their northward push
in late summer and into the fall).
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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
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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/
