Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 14, 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 1 46 53
Bald Eagle 12 36 36
Northern Harrier 15 57 62
Sharp-shinned Hawk 61 1574 1579
Cooper's Hawk 1 11 11
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0
Broad-winged Hawk 4237 10542 10542
Red-tailed Hawk 0 17 17
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 31 495 508
Merlin 3 21 21
Peregrine Falcon 0 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: 4361 12803 12833
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Observation start time: 06:00:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 9.5 hours
Official Counter: Dave Brown
Observers: Al Hurst, Bill Read, Bruce Parker, Colin Horstead,
Dave Verkley, Derek Lyon, Don Taylor, Jason McGuire,
Jennifer Lyon, Jim Dunn, Marguerite Irwin, Mark Cunningham,
Mary Carnahan, Ronnie Goodhand, Tom Bolohan, Wayne Parnall
Visitors:
There were far too many visitors and counters to list everyone here...but a
BIG thanks to all who helped with today's count...and to the HC Raptor
Banders and St. Thomas Field Naturalists for the live bird talks and to
Bruce and Ann for the Monarch Butterfly tagging presentations.
Weather:
A great fall day to be outside...today started quite cool at 7C and climbed
to just 16C later in the afternoon. Unfortunately, the clear blue skies
made for extremely difficult viewing and almost certainly meant we missed
the bulk of today's migration. As well, winds were too light today and with
the lighter winds the birds weren't pushed as far down to the lakeshore and
were again harder to find in the cloudless skies. Winds started from the N
and NE...but backed all the way around to the WSW just after noon.
Raptor Observations:
Observers were able to track down a total of 4,361 raptors today with the
bulk again Broadwings (4,237). Many times today kettles of Broadwings
ranging from 40 to 200+ (with other species mixed in) were spotted and the
birds literally disappeared up into the blue. Even when small clouds formed
at the top of the thermals the birds were circling right up into the clouds
themselves and out of view.
There were a number of great views of Northern Harriers (15) today as many
of them cooperated nicely by cruising low over the field in front of the
observation knoll. One of the first harriers we spotted looked to be an
adult male while a few others appeared to be adult females.
Another species that showed well today was Bald Eagle with a total of 12
counted as migrants. There were some local Bald Eagles (not counted) that
spent time cruising back and forth at the lake and they included what
appeared to be a young bird attempting to fish (with no luck that I could
see).
There were much smaller flights of both Sharpies (61) and Kestrels (31) as
compared to Friday's flights...as well as a single Cooper's Hawk, a few
Merlin, a lone Osprey and a Peregrine (not counted) that was headed the
wrong way eastbound but did give us a nice show as it cruised just over the
willow trees on the east side of the field.
Non-raptor Observations:
Despite a chilly start to the day, we had 2 "early birds" that we know are
year-round residents but which we don't always get to see at Hawk Cliff. A
Great Horned Owl was calling from the woods and a couple of Wild Turkeys
were seen crossing the road at the bottom of the ravine. Smaller
passerines were slow to show themselves but as the bushes and trees began
to receive the warming sunshine, Warblers, Vireos and yes, even a
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (New) popped out.
Many regular Hawk Cliffers and Visitors contributed to today's Warbler
species (Blackpoll, American Redstart, Common Yellowthroat, and Northern
Waterthrush [New]). As well, there were numerous Red-eyed Vireo and
singles of Philadelphia and Warbling Vireos. Several observers reported
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher. Grey Catbirds were abundant today as usual, as were
Northern Cardinals and Song Sparrows. Close to the cliff two observers
caught a great view of a Swainson's Thrush along the path leading from the
parking lot to the cliff. In that same area were several Cedar Waxwings.
Observers on the knoll reported 3 species of Swallow today including Bank,
Barn and Tree. As well, 3 Black-bellied Plovers were seen by observers on
the knoll. 5 Woodpecker species were also reported. A Pileated Woodpecker
and several Northern Flickers were spotted from the observation knoll,
while a Red-bellied Woodpecker and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (New) were
seen in trees directly above the observation knoll. In addition, numerous
Downy Woodpeckers were seen up and down the road.
On the insect front today observers reported several butterfly species
including Orange Sulphur, Cabbage White, Eastern Tailed Blue,
Silver-spotted Skipper and several Red Admirals. The Monarch Butterfly
count for today was 12.
Predictions:
With predicted SW winds the might just be some birds cruising the cliff on
the updraft. Watch for Osprey, Bald Eagles, Kestrels, N. Harriers and even
a possible Peregrine right along the cliff. Unfortunately, any kind of
Broadwing flight will likely be pushed inland...if you could find the
flight line back towards St. Thomas you may get some nice kettles.
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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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