Where are the Broaddies?
In spite of a few days of marginally good weather (winds Northwest but shifting
interrupted by rain) our watch has so far failed to come anywhere near the
Broadwing totals of some of the others. It must be weather related as there
have been some good eyes on the job. Could we solve some of that mystery by
posting the linear watch on Sep.19 or is it too late?
Today from 9am to 3:30 pm we saw:
Sep.14
Total from Sep.1 to Date
Turkey Vulture 4
9
Osprey 1
9
Bald Eagle 2
5
Northern Harrier 1
11
Sharp-Shin 34
128
Coopers' Hawk 5
14
Broad-Winged 1
9
Red-Tailed 5
22
Am Kestrel 3
18
Merlin 1
4
Peregrine 2
5
Un. Accipiter 1
3
U. Buteo 0
1
U. Raptor 0
2
Here's some behaviour I feel is worth noting - a compact flock of Chimney
Swifts, some 40 in all moved across the sky above us - perhaps a couple of
hundred feet up and for a distance of at least a hundred yards with an American
Kestrel which remained in their midst. They all appeared to be hawking insects
although we could not discern that for sure due to distance.
Now I owe an apology. A couple of reports ago I made reference to some things
with regard to Don Barnett which were intended in jest. Had I given it more
thought I would have realized that those who do not know Don would not
necessarily see that. So For the record please let me apologize to Don and all
the rest of you as well. And let me say to those who do not know him that Don
has probably been the first man out there and the last man to go home for
longer than many of us have been around; certainly this is true of myself. Don
has paid more than his dues and has earned the right to come and go as he
pleases. His presence and contribution is more than welcome at the Hawk watch
or any other event whenever he is there.
The High Park Hawk Watch takes place every morning from roughly 10 am until the
birds are all gone, sometimes that is as late as suppertime. Anyone who wants
to come up and see some migratory birds is welcome to stay for as long or short
as they like. Any questions you may have will be answered to the best of our
knowledge.
Look for us on Hawk Hill, just North of the Grenadier Restaurant parking lot in
High Park.
Happy Hawking,
Tim mccarthy
_______________________________________________
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
