Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 07, 2013 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 46 91 1546 Osprey 1 3 116 Bald Eagle 1 1 116 Northern Harrier 4 19 299 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 54 4442 Cooper's Hawk 2 4 48 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 8 Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 59365 Red-tailed Hawk 1 1 55 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 6 67 1513 Merlin 1 2 54 Peregrine Falcon 6 36 58 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 2 Total: 74 282 67623 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours Official Counter: Jim Dunn Observers: Mac McAlpine, Mary Carnahan Visitors: Thanks to Mary, Kim and Mac for hanging out at the site today and submitting the report. Weather: More unsettled weather today but at least winds were strong from the WSW. The precipitation held off and eventually the sun broke through the heavy cloud deck. Temp got to a high of 14C...cooler today with the passage of the cold front. Raptor Observations: A total of 74 birds tallied today. Expectations were for more Peregrines today given the strength and direction of the winds up the cliff. However, only 6 more were counted ...perhaps because not many birds had made it down to the lakes with all the rainy weather that had moved off to the east part of Ontario. All the Peregrines were low and fast in the very strong WSW winds along cliff. All others were floundering against the wind. Gulls and Turkey Vultures (46) were tied for second place in the âI can fly in this windâ contest. All others were âDid not placeâ :) including singles of Osprey and Bald Eagle, N. Harrier (4), Sharpies (6), Cooper's Hawk (2), a lone Redtail, Kestrel (6) and a single Merlin. Non-raptor Observations: A single Eastern Bluebird was observed sunning on the hydro wires at Roberts Line / Fairview Rd and a mob of European Starlings continues to dominate the field and treeline at the corner of Dexter and Hawk Cliff Rd. Though lots of White-throated Sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers were spotted along Hawk Cliff Rd., our total non-raptor avian species count was a mere 25. Black-throated Green Warbler and American Redstart were also found as were Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Catbirds and Chickadees were found but seemed relatively subdued. However, Blue Jays made up for that, announcing their presence in all areas from the ravine to the cliff; however, fewer than 100 were seen flying westward and many that were seen moving west sneaking low through the cornfield near Sharpie Alley and 2 Northern Flickers plus 1 Belted Kingfisher flew across the field also near Sharpie Alley. A couple of Winter Wrens were heard, then found, hanging out in the shrubbery near the cliff, one just north of the mound and one across the road; a House Wren was similarly heard and then spotted nearby. In other sightings today, observers on the knoll saw 3 Common Loons flying south over the willows and Ring-billed and Herring Gulls cruised the cliff all day giving peregrine seekers a bit of variety. About 40 Monarch butterflies were spotted today, many trying to fly west along the cliff. Counting them was a challenge, as many were blown around and back, while others made it as far as the east side of Hawk Cliff Rd and then nestled into convenient roosting spots low down in weeds and vines. As well, 2 Black Saddlebags were seen today from the observation knoll. Predictions: Nicer weather today but winds are predicted to be light from the WNW swinging quickly to the SW. At least it'll be sunny for the first time in a few days and the colder air mass may get a few more birds moving. ======================================================================== 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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