Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 27, 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 3 3 Bald Eagle 0 0 0 Northern Harrier 1 5 5 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 7 7 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 3 3 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 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: 1 18 18 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 12:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours Official Counter: Mary Carnahan Observers: Ernie Gribble, Jim Dunn, Keith Sealy Visitors: No visitors today Weather: It was another chilly, overcast morning with not much going on raptorwise. The temperature started out at 13 C and rose to a sizzling 18C by 11:00 AM but the NW wind blowing down the road diminished the 18, making it feel more like 14 or 15 C in unsheltered spots (like the field!). Raptor Observations: In the first hour, a young Northern Harrier (1) skimmed the weeds along the cliff as it headed west off to a good start! The second hour brought us a distant view of a Bald Eagle (local, not countable) so high up over the edge of the lake that we were unable to determine its probable age, although even that high the white head and tail usually show up, so were guessing not an adult. The third hour showed a little more promise when a Merlin shot up from the cliff carrying prey and zoomed up the field where it veered into the treeline, presumably to enjoy its kill. And that was that for the Merlin. Jim went looking for it where it had apparently gone into the trees no luck. When the fourth hour went by with no countable birds we closed shop for the day, ending with a count of only 1 bird, the Northern Harrier. Non-raptor Observations: Observers today tallied 42 non-raptor species, many of which were regulars, such as Blue Jay, Crow, European Starling, Canada Goose, Goldfinch, Gray Catbird, Black-capped Chickadee, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, etc., but also reported were 9 Warbler species, 2 Vireos, 3 Flycatchers; in addition, we had a really good day for Thrushes. First, the warblers were found mainly in and around the old mulberry tree beside the parking area and in the locusts opposite the knoll in the first couple of hours. Then a search just inside the woods path revealed a warbler bonanza! Most of the 9 species were found in both locations, but the best sightings of the day were a mob of warblers jostling for bathing space in a water-filled tire rut just inside the entrance to the woods. Most of the bathers were making good use of the long weeds hanging down over the puddle, perching there to shake themselves off, then zooming off to a branch somewhere to preen. And most of these species were some combination of yellow, gray and white confusing fall warblers indeed, especially when they are all crammed into a tiny space and moving at warp speed. In and around the puddle were Yellow, Chestnut-Sided, Wilsons, Tennessee and Nashville, plus 2 nicely contrasted Black & Whites and American Redstart (but only juveniles / females, so more yellow-gray). On branches above were more of the same species, plus Cape May and Canada. Just outside the woods path a Wood Thrush popped up providing a quick but very nice view and while this observer was watching the bathing warblers, so was a Veery perched a few feet away. Other species included American Robin, Eastern Bluebird and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Vireos were Warbling and Red-eyed. For Flycatchers, we had Great Crested and Least plus Eastern Kingbird. Indigo Buntings, not seen for the last few days, were found near Sharpie Alley early this morning. So all in all, it was a great migration day if you were looking for passerines instead of raptors! With the continuing overcast skies today, the butterflies and dragonflies kept a low profile throughout the morning. Predictions: The wind is expected to swing back to SW tomorrow, with increasing humidity and higher temperatures a trend for the weekend. Wind is expected to shift to SE bringing rain showers for Saturday into Sunday and back to SW with possible showers on Monday as well, so it could be several days before raptor migration really gets underway. ======================================================================== 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
