Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 21, 2013
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 0 0 0
Osprey 1 76 83
Bald Eagle 0 59 59
Northern Harrier 1 152 157
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 3344 3349
Cooper's Hawk 2 27 27
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 2 2
Broad-winged Hawk 0 55693 55693
Red-tailed Hawk 0 24 24
Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 4 801 814
Merlin 1 42 42
Peregrine Falcon 1 11 11
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 2 2
Total: 14 60233 60263
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Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Jennifer Lyon
Observers: Ches Caister, Derek Lyon, Jason McGuire, Jim Dunn,
Mary Carnahan
Visitors:
Thanks to the diehards who stuck it out today despite the nasty
weather,,,Jen & Derek Lyon, Jim Dunn, Mary, Jason, Chez. Lots of
visitors to the mound despite all the rain for the whole morning.
Weather:
A large low crossed through the Great Lakes region overnight and for
Saturday morning bringing torrential rain to most of Southern Ontario.
Solid cloud cover for the day and a temp that got to 19C...then dropped
late in the day as the strong cold front moved through. Winds were SW and
WSW to start then quickly swung through W to NW as the front passed.
Raptor Observations:
Only a single Peregrine braved the rotten weather in the first 6 hours (now
that's a slow start to the day!). Once the rain stopped there were a few
birds on the move for a total of 14. The species seen included singles of
Osprey, N. Harrier, Merlin and the Peregrine. Also Sharpies (4), Cooper's
Hawk (2) and Kestrel (4).
Non-raptor Observations:
Birding in the rain again for the second day in a row, a few stalwart Hawk
Cliffers had a challenging but very rewarding experience trying to ID the
many Warblers and Vireos flitting back and forth across the road at Sharpie
Alley this morning. As the day progressed, visitors and other regulars
joined in, reporting 10 Warbler species: Black-throated Blue,
Chestnut-sided, Cape May, Blackburnian, Pine, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll,
Black & White, American Redstart, and Wilson's. A Least Flycatcher was
seen in that area too. In addition Red-eyed and Philadelphia Vireos were
noted in several locations. Chickadees and Northern Flickers continue to
be heard and seen everywhere while Song Sparrows, keeping a low profile for
the past few days, reappeared this morning despite the soggy, overcast
conditions.
Action at the observation knoll was light for most of the day.
Nevertheless, hawkwatchers waiting for the skies to clear had a few
non-raptor species to keep them occupied including 20 or so Ruby-throated
Hummingbirds with a few more seen in the jewleweed, Double-crested
Cormorants, Ring-billed Gulls, 1 Chimney Swift, numerous Mourning Doves,
Crows and American Goldfinches. Eastern Bluebirds were seen this morning
on the wires along Fairview at Roberts Ln and on Dexter Ln about half way
between Hawk Cliff and the Port Stanley water tower.
Monarch butterfly sightings were very few, limited to the latter part of
the day and as a result no count was taken.
Predictions:
Sunday is looking promising with predicted NW and N winds with a mix of sun
and cloud. With the strong cold front pushing across the area there should
be some raptor movement.
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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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