Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Nov 02, 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 38 50 24414 Osprey 0 0 123 Bald Eagle 1 2 152 Northern Harrier 1 3 970 Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 17 8361 Cooper's Hawk 0 5 214 Northern Goshawk 0 0 7 Red-shouldered Hawk 10 10 311 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 13000 Red-tailed Hawk 168 172 1972 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 2 Golden Eagle 2 5 63 American Kestrel 0 0 1934 Merlin 1 2 91 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 76 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: 232 266 51690 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours Official Counter: Jennifer Lyon Observers: Derek Lyon, Keith Sealy, Mary Carnahan Visitors: Visitors today were Ivy and Joe from London. Weather: Another gorgeous day at Hawk Cliff! Temperatures ranged from 11 C. to 15 C. with light-to-moderate SW wind. What cloud cover there was varied throughout the watch, so that at times we were staring at mainly cerulean blue sky hard to see those birds. Raptor Observations: Because of a shortage of raptors at the Cliff, observers moved about 1.5 km north, so most of todays flight was observed from the Church parking lot at the intersection of Fairview Rd and Sparta Line, a clue being in the line of Turkey Vultures we could see moving westward at about that location. Thus, we managed to tally 232 migrants, comprised of 7 raptor species plus TVs, including 38 TVs, 168 Red-tails, 12 Red-shoulders, several of which flew close together so they ended up circling in small groups right above our location at the Church, giving wonderful views of those tail bands and crescents. As well, there were singles of Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle and Merlin plus 2 Golden Eagles, both juveniles, one that circled endlessly and finally passed overhead at fairly high altitude, the other that Derek picked up when it was right overhead and fairly low. Non-raptor Observations: Despite the shortage of raptors earlier at the Cliff, there was lots of passerine activity to enjoy including sightings of both Common and Red-throated Loons and huge flocks of mixed Blackbirds, with many stopping off in the ravine and woods. Observers reported many Grackles and Red-wings and also sightings of Brown-headed Cowbirds and Rusty Blackbirds. Cedar waxwings, Eastern Bluebirds and American Robins are also abundant along the roadside and in the woods. Taking a closer look at the bushes and trees, observers found Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Goldfinch, Hermit Thrush and both Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets. High up in the trees were some very vocal White-breasted Nuthatches, a Downy Woodpecker and while searching for raptors at the Church, we noticed a single Red-breasted Nuthatch perched on a wire between 2 spruces. For Sparrows today we had Song, White-throated and Am. Tree plus D.E. Juncos and House Sparrows (at the Church). At our various locations, observers noted individuals or small flocks of Canada Goose, Mallard and Ring-billed Gull. It was another day of bugs with lots of those annoying ladybugs and a few flies plus may bees (not sure what variety but bigger than honeybees), a couple of Clouded Sulphurs, an Orange Sulphur and a Question Mark (all butterflies). Predictions: Tuesday will feature clear skies and balmy weather about 12 C. to start the watch, rising to 19 C by afternoon and the wind that brings us this great weather unfortunately doesnt do much to encourage raptors to migrate west along the lake. That generally southerly flow is expected to continue throughout the week, with rain possible Wednesday night into Thursday morning, and at present, Friday is looking like a washout. Saturday looks better with a forecast of moderate to strong NW winds which is exactly what is needed to get those migrants back on track! ======================================================================== 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
