Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 13, 2013
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 4 45 52
Bald Eagle 10 24 24
Northern Harrier 12 42 47
Sharp-shinned Hawk 987 1513 1518
Cooper's Hawk 5 10 10
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 6244 6305 6305
Red-tailed Hawk 6 17 17
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 293 464 477
Merlin 9 18 18
Peregrine Falcon 1 4 4
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
Total: 7571 8442 8472
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Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Jim Dunn
Observers: Chris Burris, Colin Horstead, Dave Verkley, Don Campbell,
Ernie Gribble, Kathy, Mac McAlpine, Mary Carnahan,
Mike Street, Ronnie Goodhand
Visitors:
A big thanks to the many observers and visitors for their help with the
count today.... Mary C., Chris B., Dave V., Mac McAlpine. Ernie G., Mike
Street., Colin H.
Kathy, Ronnie, Don C. plus many more that we didnât get names.
Weather:
Strong N winds all day 22 gusting to 45 kph. and enough cloud cover to spot
high BWâs. Temp much cooler with the passage of a strong cold front with
a high to just 12C.
Raptor Observations:
A great hawkwatching day with the first real push of migrating raptors! A
total of 7,571 birds were tallied for the day. With the cloud cover many
kettles of Broadwings (some in excess of 250 birds) were spotted within
easy view of the observation knoll to the delight of the visitors and
counters. The total for Broadwings was 6,244...an excellent count for the
first decent movement of this species for the season.
The other big number species was Sharpies with 987 for the day! I'm told
that throughout the day the flow of Sharpies along Sharpie Alley to the
north of the observation knoll was pretty much continuous. The Kestrels
also put in a good showing with 293. Other species included Osprey (4),
Bald Eagle (10), N. Harrier (12), Cooper's Hawks (5), a nice number of
Merlin (9) and a single Peregrine.
Another interesting observation today was an adult Bald Eagle flying north
over the willows and woodlot with a large fish in itâs talons.
Unfortunately, the bird didn't stop nearby to enjoy its meal...but
continued out of sight.
Non-raptor Observations:
Many thanks to all the visitors and regular Hawk Cliff observers for
contributing to today's non-raptor observations totalling a respectable 52
songbird species! Highlights of today's efforts include 3 new Warbler
species for this season which are Yellow-rumped, Palm and Bay-breasted
Warbler. In addition, contributors saw Magnolia, Black-throated Blue,
Chestnut -sided, Pine, Blackpoll, Black-and-white, American Redstart,
Tennessee, Nashville, Wilson's and Common Yellowthroat. Our cumulative
total for warblers is no 20 for this fall season.
Observers also saw 4 Common Loons, 3 Chimney Swifts, 4 species of
Woodpecker including Pileated, Downy and Red-bellied plus Northern
Flicker, several Traill's Flycatchers, Great-crested and Yellow-bellied
Flycatcher and at least 2 Eastern Wood-peewee. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were
seen in the bushes along the cliff where Vireos were also abundant.
Species reported were Warbling, Red-eyed, and Philadelphia Vireos. Just
south of the ravine were Swainson's Thrush, American Robin and many Grey
Catbirds.
In the insect department, we had Monarch Butterflies, as well as Eastern
Tailed Blue, Silver-spotted Skipper, Summer Azure, Orange and Clouded
Sulphur, and Cabbage White. In addition, a Walking Stick was found
clinging to someone's vehicle and photographed by many. Dragonflies seemed
to be heading westward today, including mainly Black Saddlebags and Green
Darners, although a late 12-spotted Skimmer was also found near the cliff.
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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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