Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Oct 07, 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 20 668 788 Osprey 5 24 107 Bald Eagle 0 0 58 Northern Harrier 1 10 403 Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 82 4658 Cooper's Hawk 0 3 73 Northern Goshawk 0 0 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 1 70565 Red-tailed Hawk 0 3 29 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 5 53 1798 Merlin 1 1 43 Peregrine Falcon 18 87 132 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: 57 932 78656 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 13:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours Official Counter: Matt Oswald Observers: Dave Verkley, Keith Sealy, Mary Carnahan Visitors: Some visitors today though no names were reported. Thanks to Matt, Mary, Keith, Dave V. and everyone else who got today's count completed. Weather: The SW winds continued and were much stronger today...and no surprise more Peregrines were on the move! There was little cloud cover to start the day but it slowly built in and then the rain halted the watch by mid-afternoon. The temp was still in the low to mid teens and got to a high of 15C. Raptor Observations: Another 18 Peregrines were tallied today much to the enjoyment of the counters and observers. They were all adult birds and put a on a great show...most cruising through directly with a couple riding high and drifting on the wind before diving westward once more. The peak hour was from 11-12 (EST) with 11 counted...which is a new 1-hour record for the species for Hawk Cliff (the previous record was 10 in the hour 12-1 Sep 27, 2006). This brings our total Peregrine tally to 132 for the season which is one of our best ever. There were also a few Osprey (5) observed for the day and the final 2 came through at the same time providing great looks as they crossed low over the field in front of the observation knoll. Just a single N. Harrier was spotted as it snuck by low over the north end of the field while the lone Merlin literally rocketed out of the gap straight out from the knoll and rocketed past in mere seconds. There were some Kestrels (5) as well as a small number of TVs (20). Non-raptor Observations: The Blue Jay count today was lower than the last couple of days. There was a good flight early in the morning with 600 counted between 8 and 9 AM, but like yesterday, the flight either shut down or went north, so our numbers dwindled as the day went on. Our day's total was less than 2000. Overall it was a great day for passerine sightings, with 4 Woodpecker species (Pileated, Downy, Red-bellied and Northern Flicker), 5 Warblers (Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Palm, several Blackpolls, and a male Wilson's), 3 Wren species (House, Winter and Carolina), numerous Blue-headed Vireos and both Hermit and Gray-cheeked Thrush. New species for today was Dark-eyed Junco. Other species noted today were Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebirds (along Dexter Line) Red-winged Blackbirds, Cardinals, Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, and half a dozen or so Common Loons doing their usual flyover out to the lake. Monarchs continue to struggle across the field, with fewer than 30 counted today. Observers also reported 2 Painted Ladies, numerous Orange and a few Clouded Sulphurs and a Cabbage White Butterfly. In other insect news observers saw 1 Common Green Darner and 4 Black Saddlebags, all really blowing in the wind. Predictions: A bit of a mixed bag for weather tomorrow with a chance of showers at some point through the day, winds moderate from the W will slow what little migration may occur. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Dave Brown ([email protected]) Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch information may be found at: http://www.ezlink.on.ca/~thebrowns/HawkCliff/index.htm _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
