[Ontbirds] Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch (26 Aug 2015) 5 Raptors
Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 26, 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 4 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 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: 5 17 17
Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 12:00:00
Total observation time: 5 hours
Official Counter: Mary Carnahan
Observers: Jim Dunn
Visitors:
Visitors were Bill and Cathy from London.
Weather:
The weather this morning was less sunny than predicted, as this low
pressure system keeps hanging around; cloudy cool conditions prevailed
throughout the watch. From time to time we had a few sunny breaks but they
were short-lived. Winds shifted from W to WNW and back again and finally,
by noon, it started to rain. That seemed like a sign that the hawk watch
should close for the day.
Raptor Observations:
Not a lot was going on today, even among the locals consisting of 2 lazy
TVs and 1 adult plus 1 immature Bald Eagle. During the second hour a
Sharp-shin was seen hunting along the line of willows opposite the mound,
but it didnt go anywhere except into the treeline.
Those that did cross the field today were 4 Sharp-shinned Hawks and 1
Northern Harrier. The Sharp-shins that crossed the field all headed due
west without any fuss, the first two in the first hour, shortly after 7:00
AM.
Non-raptor Observations:
We had some interesting new sightings for the season, including 2 Common
Loons headed sou th along the treeline towards the lake. As well, Jim
spotted a Wood Duck. In addition, we had the usual Canada Geese,
Double-crested Cormorant (only 1), and Great Blue Heron (1). Including
those and other regulars along with a few new species we tallied 40
non-raptor species today!
Highlights were Warbling and Philadelphia Vireos, Tree, Barn and a few Bank
Swallows, 7 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the first hour and several more
throughout the watch, 5 Warbler species including Yellow, Am. Redstart,
Blackburnian, Tennessee and Nashville which is # 13 for us this season.
There is still an abundance of Gray Catbirds and Baltimore Orioles. AS
well, Rose-breasted Grosbeak are regularly seen near the cliff as well as
up the road in the entrance to the woods. House wrens seem to be
everywhere, Eastern Towhee can be found near the cliff and in a few more
spots as you go up the road and Am. Goldfinch have been flying westward in
small flocks, while others are hanging around enjoying their day in the
goldenrod which of course is found all up and down the road as well as
along the cliff.
Butterflies and Dragonflies didnt really get going in any numbers today,
given the persistent cloud cover, but we did see a few other critters of
interest. Jim saw a deer and her fawn in the field early in the watch and
while searching for warblers across from the knoll, we noticed a
short-tailed brown weasel poking his face out of the brush he appeared to
be inspecting the new fence!
Predictions:
Winds are expected to be Westerly and fairly light (10k / hr) in the
morning with a 40% chance of showers. Wind will shift to NW remain fairly
light for the afternoon, bringing decreased humidity and some sunshine with
a comfortable high of 20C. We might get a bit of a flight in the
afternoon, but the wind is expected to shift back to SW for Friday with
rising temperatures once more, so things dont look good for raptor
migration from Friday until into next week and tomorrow is iffy at best.
Still, those songbirds continue to pour through!
---======
Report submitted by Dave Brown (thebrowns@ezlink.on.ca)
Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch information may be found at:
http://www.ezlink.on.ca/~thebrowns/HawkCliff/index.htm