[Ontbirds]HSR: Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch (01 Dec 2007) 145 Raptors

[reports at hawkcount.org]

Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch
Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Dec 01, 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Species            Day's Count    Month Total   Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture                0              0              0
Turkey Vulture               2              2          21315
Osprey                       0              0            209
Bald Eagle                   7              7            406
Northern Harrier             5              5           2115
Sharp-shinned Hawk           0              0          16643
Cooper's Hawk                2              2            635
Northern Goshawk             2              2             34
Red-shouldered Hawk          1              1           1132
Broad-winged Hawk            0              0          41018
Red-tailed Hawk            118            118          11121
Rough-legged Hawk            5              5             41
Golden Eagle                 3              3            150
American Kestrel             0              0           4431
Merlin                       0              0            265
Peregrine Falcon             0              0            148
Unknown Accipiter            0              0              3
Unknown Buteo                0              0              7
Unknown Falcon               0              0              2
Unknown Eagle                0              0              1
Unknown Raptor               0              0              6

Total:                     145            145          99682
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Observation start time: 10:00:00 
Observation end   time: 15:00:00 
Total observation time: 4.33 hours

Official Counter:        Keith Sealy

Observers:        John Fenton

Visitors:
Well...the Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch has now officially ended for the 2007
season. On behalf of the HCF I'd like to say a HUGE thankyou to the many
volunteers that helped out this fall...covering 607 hours observation time
and logging a combined 2100 volunteer hours!! A special thanks to Colin
Horstead and Keith Sealy for helping as acting official counters on at
least two thirds of the observing days...and to Su Redmond who did an
outstanding job again this season as onsite interpreter and site
coordinator. Thanks too for all the assistance from the Hawk Cliff Raptor
Banders Association, especially on the two big Hawk Cliff Weekends. 


Weather:
Winds were moderate from the W...then eventually swung around to the NE.
Cloud cover built in through the day. Temp made it to 0C (although it felt
much cooler).

Raptor Observations:
Keith Sealy and John Fenton managed to stick it out in the cold...and had a
total of 145 raptors for the day. HIghlights included another 3 Golden
Eagles, 7 more Bald Eagles, 2 more Northern Goshawks and 5 Roughlegs and a
lone Red-shoulder. Another 118 Redtails as well pushing the season total
even closer to the 100,000 mark.

Non-raptor Observations:

========================================================================
Report submitted by Dave Brown (thebrowns at ezlink.on.ca)
Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch information may be found at:
http://www.ezlink.on.ca/~thebrowns/HawkCliff/index.htm


Site Description:
Hawk Cliff Hawkwatch:
Oldest Hawkwatch in Ontario - since 1931 - located just east of Port
Stanley on the cliff overlooking Lake Erie 

Directions to site:
>From east 401, take the Highbury south cut off at London, follow Highbury
(Hwy 30) south to St. Thomas. Highbury changes into South Edgeware at a
large curve in the road to the west. Follow South Edgeware west to the
first set of traffic lights - Burwell Road, turn left (south) and stay on
this road. It becomes Fairview Ave (Regional Road 22), which runs directly
into Hawk Cliff Road. You will see a sign for Hawkes Cliff Farm, where they
sell fresh vegetables and a gravel road just beyond sign. Just continue
down gravel road to viewing area.

>From west 401, take the Highway # 4 (Colonel Talbot Rd.) exit south,
through Talbotville, road now is Sunset Rd. continue towards St. Thomas;
you will come to a veer in the road, straight up to St. Thomas, veer to the
right for Port Stanley, follow Highway 4, now Sunset to Port Stanley. As
you approach Port Stanley you will come to a large curve  in the road with
a sign saying East St, to the left. Take East St., and follow it to the
first road left, (opposite Port Stanley Water Tower) Dexter Line. Follow
Dexter Line approximately 2 km. and turn right down gravel road at Hawkes
Cliff Farm, and follow gravel road to viewing area