Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

The pelican was sleeping this afternoon on the river, about 2.30 p.m. Best view was from #4; it was just past a Christmas decoration display on the river bank, and opposite a marina yard, entrance off #4.

Ann White
London Ontario Canada
dwhite@odyssey.on.ca

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

White Pelican at Port Stanley
November 26, 1999

Marv Smout called this morning to say that Joe Hurst had discovered a WHITE PELICAN loafing in Kettle Creek at Port Stanley. At 11:10 a.m. he called again to say the bird was still there. The pelican has been swimming short distances and then resting on the river bank between the two bridges that cross Kettle Creek in Port Stanley. Roads parallel the creek on both sides of Kettle Creek in Port Stanley and there are a number of lookouts that can be tried if you decide to look for this bird. The bird may hang around because Port Stanley is a fishing port. If its not in the creek try looking at the harbour or the breakwall.

Port Stanley is south of St. Thomas on the Lake Erie shoreline. From Hwy 401 follow Hwy 4 south to Port Stanley.

Dave Martin
dave.martin@odyssey.on.ca

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Central Elgin County
November 21, 1999

Today at Port Burwell, we were hoping to get waxwings and crossbills but saw no winter finches. We did come across CAROLINA WRENS in 3 places and 2 TUFTED TITMICE with a mob of chickadees.

At Aylmer Wildlife Management Area we were very surprised to find a RED-THROATED LOON which was a first for us in Elgin County. The ponds here are managed in a "tundra-like" condition to attract Tundra Swans and geese so I guess that a Red-throated Loon was inevitable if we made enough visits at the right time. The loon took off shortly after we arrived. We were quite surprised to see how quickly it got off the water. It only had to circle a couple of times before it got enough height to head off to the northwest!! There were also 30 TUNDRA SWANS and about 500 Canada Geese.

At Aylmer Sewage Ponds, a single OLDSQUAW was also a rarely encountered fall bird in Elgin County, especially inland. There were lots of Bufflehead and Bonaparte's Gulls and a few Common Goldeneye, scaup sp, and Ruddy Ducks.

Port Burwell is on Lake Erie south of Tillsonburg. Aylmer Wildlife Management Area is north and east of Aylmer. Aylmer Sewage Ponds are north and west of Aylmer.

Dave Martin
dave.martin@odyssey.on.ca

Another good day for hawk watching at Hawk Cliff today Nov 7th 99.

• Sharp-shinned Hawk------------23.
• Coopers Hawk---------------------13.
• Redshouldered Hawk------------59.
• Red-tailed Hawk------------------592.
• Roughlegged Hawk---------------19.
• Bald Eagle-----------------------------2.
• Golden Eagle------------------------10.
• Northern Harrier---------------------18.
• Turkey Vulture------------------------7.

Winds were from the North West but not as strong as predicted. Also seen today were 17 Sandhill Cranes. Observers were Tom Bolohan, Alf Rider,Su Ross, Keith Sealey,and thanks to Fran Rew from New York , And Mike Noville also from New York for helping to spot the very high birds.

Shay Redmond.
shayredmond@home.com

Just a special note re: Golden Eagle numbers.
For the season 1997, 50 Golden Eagles were counted,
For the season 1998, there were 83 Goldens.
To date 1999 we have had 98 Goldens.

This shows a substantial increase since 1997.

An exciting day for visitors at Hawk Cliff today Nov 6th 99 !

• Sharp Shinned Hawk------27.
• Coopers Hawk --------------17.
• Red-shouldered Hawk-----28.
• Red-tailed Hawk------------123.
• Roughlegged Hawk-----------9.
• Bald Eagle-----------------------1.
• Golden Eagle------------------11.
• Merlin------------------------------1.
• Northern Harrier---------------10.
• Turkey Vulture------------------6.

Observers today were , Tom Bolohan,Dave Brown ,Matt Oswald, Mike Street.
The bird of the day was a Golden Eagle caught by Paul Leverton, a Hawk Cliff Raptor Bander. Visitors at Hawk Cliff were lucky to have been invited to see the bird. It was an immature male that cooperated very nicely for all to see and photograph. Thanks to our Out-of -town and American visitors for coming to "Hawk Cliff".We hope to see you all again. A special thanks to all the Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders for allowing everyone the opportunity to see this Magnificent Golden Eagle. Also seen today was a Short-eared owl. Marcia Muller reported seeing 39 Sandhill Cranes flying over Port Stanley.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Several observers spent the day along the Lake Erie shoreline of Elgin County and some points inland but found only 1 CAVE SWALLOW and no other swallows. the Cave Swallow was seen in the morning but NOT the afternoon.

The Cave Swallow was first seen at Port Burwell at 10:30 a.m. even though we had been looking in the area where it eventually appeared for the previous 1/2 hour. We watched this bird until 11:45 a.m. when it disappeared. This mirrors the observation at Long Point about the birds exploring over a wide area early on and then settling on an area they liked. Other observers did not refind this bird in the afternoon.

We started our search by looking under the bridges in Port Bruce (Catfish Creek) and at Port Burwell (Big Otter Creek) where there are several dozen Cliff Swallow and Barn Swallow nests. We hoped to find roosting Cave Swallows as suggested by several postings yesterday. At Port Bruce most Cliff Swallow nests were occupied by House Sparrows.

Sites visited today include Port Stanley harbour and Kettle Creek upstream beyond the 2nd bridge and Port Stanley sewage ponds in the a.m. and p.m.; Port Bruce and Catfish Creek upstream beyond the bridge in the a.m. and p.m. ; Port Burwell and Big Otter Creek upstream to the bridge, Aylmer Sewage Ponds, Aylmer Wildlife Management Area and various and sundry natural and irrigation ponds en route.

Observers were Marv Smout, Ann Smout, Ellen Smout, Ann White, Sandra Pusey, Linda Wladarski, Dave Martin.

Other birds of interest today were Long-billed Dowitcher, Sanderling, Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Little Gull and Golden Eagle.

Based on the reports from Long Point, Erieau and Point Pelee it doesn't seem advisable to look for Cave Swallows in Elgin County tomorrow.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

A great sunny day for late afternoon viewing of migrating raptors. The road between Patrick Point and Plum Point along Lake Erie provided some excellent views of the hawks and eagles as they came down from height to look for evening roost.

The day started with two resident adult Bald Eagles, to which we added 26 Red-tailed Hawks, 4 Rough-legged Hawks, 3 Northern Harriers, 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 4 Red-shouldered Hawks, 17 Turkey Vultures and 2 American Kestrels.

To get to the Lakeview Line, take the 401 to the Dutton exit, then head south on County Road 8 to the Lake.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

October 31, 1999
Hawks at Port Bruce, Elgin County

The weather seemed too pleasant today and the winds in the wrong direction for a good flight of loons and waterfowl at Kettle Point on Lake Huron. Instead we headed to our hawk-watching spot along Lake Erie just east of Port Bruce not really expecting much of a hawk flight. To our surprise there was a decent flight with most of the birds flying low and providing great views. One Golden Eagle and both Bald Eagles spent a good 10 minutes overhead before they moved on.

Time: 10:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. EST (2.5 hours)
Observers: Dave Martinm, Linda Wladarski, Ross Snider, Terry Ricker

• Turkey Vulture 14
• Bald Eagle 2 (1 imm at 11:40 and 1 ad at 12:00 EST)
• Northern Harrier 3
• Sharp-shinned Hawk 7
• Cooper's Hawk 6
• Northern Goshawk 1
• Red-shouldered Hawk 4
• Red-tailed Hawk 71
• Rough-legged Hawk 1 (dark morph)
• Golden Eagle 3 ( 2 imm at 11:28 and 1 imm at 12:10 EST)
• Total 112

Other migrants included a good flight of starlings (1000+) and Cedar Waxwings (500+), Tundra Swan 41, and small numbers of Rusty Blackbirds, pipits, goldfinches and siskins.

Perhaps the biggest thrill today was to see 3 flocks of migrating BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES......... as foretold early in October from the northern Ontario banding site (sorry, I have forgotten your name). While it may be more difficult to pick out migrant chickadees inland or at feeders it is not so where we were today. The chickadees came to the edge of the woodlot, perched in the open near the top of the tree, hesitated for a few seconds then launched themselves on a 200 + metre plus flight to the next bunch of trees along the lakeshore. We never realized what poor fliers chickadees were until we saw them on this perilous flight in the open; they seemed barely able to keep themselves in the air let alone make it to the safety of the next tree.

According to my records the last chickadee migration we saw was in 1993. On October 23 that year we counted 300+ chickadees in flocks of 20 to 30. Today's migration seemed more like family groups with 11, 7 and 5 birds in the 3 flocks.

On the way home we stopped at Aylmer Wildlife Management Area where we saw our first Northern Shrike of the winter and the Northern Mockingbird which shows up every November to overwinter.

The numbers for hawk Cliff Oct 30th 99 are as follows.

• Turkey Vultures-------34.
• Coopers Hawk----------3.
• N Harriers----------------2.
• Red Shoulder-----------6.
• Roughlegs---------------2.
• Redtails----------------137.
• Am Kestrel---------------1.

Andrea Raithby reports from Hawk Cliff Oct 29th 99

The count was from 8:15am to 12:30pm.

• Am Kestrel----------1.
• Sharp shins--------11.
• Coopers Hawk------1.
• Red Shouldered----2.
• Red Tailed Hawk---3.
• N Harrier---------------1.
• Golden Eagle--------3
• Turkey Vulture-------1

Observers were Andrea Raithby, Keith Sealey , Marvin Smout, Ray Riley.

Andrea Raithby reports from Hawk Cliff Oct 28th 99.

• Sharp Shinned Hawk 3.
• Redtailed Hawk---------3.
• Northern Harrier--------7.

Observer , Andrea Raithby.
It seems the warm temperatures have slowed down the migration for the moment , we still have lots of Roughlegs to come through yet, as well as Redtails , Red Shoulders, Male Harriers.

The numbers for Hawk Cliff Oct 27th are as follows.

ACCIPITER

• Sharp-shinned Hawk-----------38
• Cooper's Hawk--------------------5
• Northern Goshawk---------------3

BUTEOS

• Red-shouldered Hawk--------38
• Red-tailed Hawk---------------282
• Rough-legged Hawk-------------2

EAGLES

• Bald Eagle-------------------------7
• Golden Eagle.-------------------20

FALCONS

• American Kestrel----------------1

• Northern Harrier------------------6

• Vultures----------------------------35

Observers were Keith Sealey,Dave Brown, & Anthony Lee.
Winds were from the Northwest to Variable in the afternoon.

Todays numbers at Hawk Cliff are as follows :

• Am Kestrel 1.
• Sharp Shins 62.
• Coopers Hawk 8.
• N Goshawk 2.
• Red Shoulder 59.
• Red Tail Hawk 238. ( 1 dark morph )
• Roughleg Hawk 8.
• N Harrier 15.
• Turkey Vulture 55.
• Golden Eagle 10. ( 3 ad, 7 juv )

Winds were SW and later in the day NW
Observers were Keith Sealey, Tom Bolohan.

Here are the numbers for Oct 25th 99.

ACCIPITER

• Sharp-shinned Hawk--------97.
• Cooper's Hawk-----------------6.
• Northern Goshawk------------3

BUTEOS

• Broad-winged Hawk
• Red-shouldered Hawk--------7
• Red-tailed Hawk-------------105
• Rough-legged Hawk-----------1 ( dark morph)
• Swainsons Hawk.

EAGLES

• Bald Eagle-----------------------1 ( Imm )
• Golden Eagle.-----------------25 ( Mostly Immature)

FALCONS

• American Kestrel--------------4
• Merlin -----------------------------1
• Peregrine Falcon

• Northern Harrier------------------16

• Osprey

• Vultures---------------------------286

• 1 Unidentified Buteo.

Winds were from the SW and strong at times gusting to 40 K per hour.
We had some great looks at the Golden Eagles as they circled above our heads , cameras and videos were in action from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Observers were Andrea Raithby,Mac McAlpine,Tom Bolohan,Paul Austin,Su Ross, and myself.

October 24, 1999
(8:30 - >3:00)

• american kestrel 10
• merlin 1
• sharp-shinned hawk 324
• cooper's hawk 30
• northern goshawk 3 (10:28, 11:30, >3:00)
• red-shouldered hawk 49
• red-tailed hawk 287
• rough-legged hawk 21
• northern harrier 25
• turkey vulture 318
• golden eagle 10 (Ad.12:42, Im.1:05, Ad.1:08, Im.2:24, 6>3:00)

total count 1078

Observers were Andrea Raithby , Tom Bolohan, Keith Sealey, Barrie & Linda Cherriere,Su Ross.

---

October 23, 1999
(9:00 - 2:00)

• american kestrel 1
• merlin 2
• sharp-shinned hawk 21
• cooper's hawk 4
• red-shouldered hawk 2
• red-tailed hawk 24
• rough-legged hawk 3(2-10:30 1(12:39)
• northern harrier 6
• unidentified accipiter 1
• " Buteo 2
• turkey vulture 35
• bald eagle 1

Total Count 102

---

October 22, 1999
(11:00 - 3:00)

• american kestrel 1
• sharp-shinned hawk 15
• cooper's hawk 3
• red-tailed hawk 17
• turkey vulture 96
• golden eagle 1 (Im.1:05)

Total count 133

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

October 24, 1999
Port Bruce and Sparta Ridge Hawk Watch

At Port Bruce a moderately strong flight of hawks including 4 GOLDEN EAGLES tapered off by 1:00 p.m. when the wind shifted from the north to the west and rainy spells outnumbered sunny moments. We hung in for another hour hoping that a late afternoon flight would materialize but to no avail.

On the way home we came across a streamer of vultures and hawks moving west along the Sparta Ridge (about 8 km inland from the Lake Erie shoreline). We pulled off on a side road to intercept the streamer and enjoyed another 1/2 hour of strong flight including 9 GOLDEN EAGLES.

At Port Bruce the 4 Golden Eagles came through one after the other in a 10 minute period from 12:05 to 12:15 p.m.on the same flight line. On the Sparta Ridge the streamer of hawks lasted 30 minutes and the 9 Golden Eagles passed through in a 20 minute period from 2:50 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. with at least 2 always in site but not on the same flight line.

Day totals:
10:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Port Bruce
2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. along the Sparta Ridge
Effort: 3.5 hours
Observers: Dave Martin, Linda Wladarski, Ross Snider

• Turkey Vulture 146
• Bald Eagle 2 (10:50 - juv., 1:00 p.m. juv)
• Northern Harrier 12 (2 adult males)
• Sharp-shinned Hawk 97
• Cooper's Hawk 19
• N. Goshawk 2 (both juveniles)
• Red-shouldered Hawk 27 (mostly adults)
• Red-tailed Hawk 185
• Rough-legged Hawk 6 (5 dark morph, 1 light morph)
• Golden Eagle 13 (3 adults, 10 juveniles)
• American Kestrel 2
• Total 511

Other migration highlights:
Common Loon 15, Common Merganser 14, Tundra Swan 6, American Crow 240+, American Pipit 7, Lapland Longspur 1, Pine Siskin 21, Tree Swallow 10, Tufted Titmouse 1

Port Bruce is south of Aylmer on the Lake Erie shoreline. Sparta Ridge provides the best view to the south just east of the intersection of John Wise Line (Cty Rd 45) and Imperial Road (Hwy 73).

Here are the numbers from Hawk Cliff Oct 21st-99.

• Sharp Shins 35.
• N Goshawk 2.
• Am Kestrel 2.
• Redtail Hawks 19.
• Merlin 1.
• Roughleg Hawk 1.
• Bald Eagle 4.
• Golden eagle 1. Imm
• Turkey Vulture.190

Winds were strong and from the South West.
Observers were Keith Sealey , Alf Rider,and Su Ross.

Here are the numbers from Hawk Cliff Oct 21st-99.

• Sharp Shins 35.
• N Goshawk 2.
• Am Kestrel 2.
• Redtail Hawks 19.
• Merlin 1.
• Roughleg Hawk 1.
• Bald Eagle 4.
• Golden eagle 1. Imm
• Turkey Vulture.190

Winds were strong and from the South West.
Observers were Keith Sealey , Alf Rider,and Su Ross.

Here are the counts for Oct 19th & 20th.

ACCIPITER

• Sharp-shinned Hawk--36
• Cooper's Hawk--7
• Northern Goshawk--0

BUTEOS

• Broad-winged Hawk --0
• Red-shouldered Hawk--12
• Red-tailed Hawk--27
• Rough-legged Hawk-- 0
• Swainsons Hawk.--0

EAGLES

• Bald Eagle--1
• Golden Eagle.--0

FALCONS

• American Kestrel
• Merlin
• Peregrine Falcon

• Northern Harrier--1

• Osprey

• Vultures

Observer, Keith Sealey.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oct 20th, 1999

ACCIPITER

• Sharp-shinned Hawk--73
• Cooper's Hawk--8
• Northern Goshawk--1

BUTEOS

• Broad-winged Hawk --0
• Red-shouldered Hawk--9
• Red-tailed Hawk--89
• Rough-legged Hawk--3
• Swainsons Hawk.--0

EAGLES

• Bald Eagle--0
• * Golden Eagle.--13* :( 10 Imm, and 3 Adults )

FALCONS

• American Kestrel--4
• Merlin --0
• Peregrine Falcon--0

• Northern Harrier--2

• Osprey--0

• Vultures--800

Observers were Andrea Raithby, Paul, Tom Bolohan, Keith Sealey

Andrea Raithby & Su Ross report from Hawk Cliff Oct 18th.
Counting started at 8:30am and ended at 4:00pm. Winds were light and from the North and then later from the North West, temp 11C . A number of people showed up in the morning to witness a good flight of almost all the species.No Monarchs were seen today.

ACCIPITER

• Sharp-shinned Hawk-442
• Cooper's Hawk-56
• Northern Goshawk-1

BUTEOS

• Broad-winged Hawk -1
• Red-shouldered Hawk -76
• Red-tailed Hawk -218
• Rough-legged Hawk -2
• Swainsons Hawk.

EAGLES

• Bald Eagle -2
• Golden Eagle. -2, 1imm,1adult

FALCONS

• American Kestrel -8
• Merlin -2
• Peregrine Falcon -2

Northern Harrier -29

Osprey -0

Vulture -1,067

Unidentified Accipiter -3,, Unidentified Buteo -5.

Observers were. Andrea Raithby, Su Ross, Keith Sealey, Anthony Lee.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

October 18, 1999
Hawks at Port Bruce

We knew we only had a half day this week to get down to the lakeshore to watch migration so chose today when we heard that the forecast was for light north winds. We weren't disappointed as the winds were actually pretty stiff which drove the hawks down to and over the lake. We witnessed one of the best hawk flights we have seen in years. By the time we had to leave at 1:00 p.m. we had tallied almost 1200 hawks in 3.5 hours. This works out to 342 hawks per hour, almost 6 hawks per minute or one hawk every 10 seconds. Only the hawks don't come through on regular intervals.

For the first hour there were spurts of 5 to 10 hawks every few minutes so we had time to scrutinize the 1000s of crows, blackbirds, starlings and lesser numbers of blue jays, geese, loons, pipits, goldfinches, house finches, waxwings, yellowrumps, and bluebirds that were migrating today.

By 11:00 a.m the hawks were coming through in waves of 20 to 30 birds, some kettling, some high, some over the lake, a few low. And then the Turkey Vultures and Redtails started piling through. For the last hour we didn't lower our arms for more than a few seconds at a time because so many birds were passing in a steady unrelenting stream. By 1:00 p.m. we were exhausted and said we would leave as soon as we got a Golden Eagle. Almost immediately one passed through. We left wondering how long the migration would have continued.

Our list for the period 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. was.

• Turkey Vulture 485
• Bald Eagle 2
• N. Harrier 8
• Sharp-shinned H 355
• Cooper's Hawk 24
• Red-shouldered H. 37
• Red-tailed H. 245
• Rough-legged H. 3
• Golden Eagle 1 (juv. at 1:00)
• Amer. Kestrel 7
• total 1167

Other highlights included 2700 Crows, 5 Common Loons, 6 Eastern Bluebirds, 1 Black-bellied Plover.

Our hawk watch is just east of Port Bruce on Lake Erie (midway between Port Burwell and Hawk Cliff) at the deadend of Pede Road.

Observers: Dave Martin, Linda Wladarski, Ross Snider

Andrea Raithby reports from Hawk Cliff Oct 16th.

ACCIPITER

• Sharp-shinned Hawk 134
• Cooper's Hawk 6.
• Northern Goshawk 0

BUTEOS

• BROAD-WINGED HAWK
• Red-shouldered Hawk
• Red-tailed Hawk 8
• Rough-legged Hawk
• Swainsons Hawk.

EAGLES

• Bald Eagle 1
• Golden Eagle.

FALCONS

• American Kestrel 10
• Merlin 1
• Peregrine Falcon
• Northern Harrier
• Osprey
• Vultures 130

Observers were Andrea Raithby, Tom Bolohan

Andrea Raithby reports from Hawk Cliff Oct 15th .It was a slow day but the harriers were very entertaining- lots of males

ACCIPITER

• Sharp-shinned Hawk 24
• Cooper's Hawk 2
• Northern Goshawk

BUTEOS

• Broad-winged Hawk
• Red-shouldered Hawk
• Red-tailed Hawk 3
• Rough-legged Hawk
• Swainsons Hawk.

EAGLES

• Bald Eagle 2 ( Im.8:46, ad.12:05 )
• Golden Eagle.

FALCONS

• American Kestrel 7
• Merlin 9
• Peregrine Falcon 2 (9:27, 1:34 )
• Northern Harrier 66
• Osprey 1
• Vultures 11

Observers , Andrea Raithby, Su Ross.

Andrea Raithby reports from Hawk Cliff today Oct 14th

ACCIPITER

   Sharp-shinned Hawk      302

   Cooper's Hawk                24

   Northern Goshawk            1  (12:10 )  

 

BUTEOS

   Broad-winged Hawk           5

   Red-shouldered Hawk        9

   Red-tailed Hawk               52

   Rough-legged Hawk           

   Swainsons Hawk.

 

EAGLES

   Bald Eagle                        2

   Golden Eagle.

  

FALCONS

   American Kestrel             34

   Merlin                               6

   Peregrine Falcon

 

  Northern Harrier                 17

 

  Osprey

 

  Vulture                          935

    

Unidentified Buteos              3        

                 total            1390  

Observers were Andrea Raithby , Keith Sealey

Andrea Raithby reports from Hawk Cliff Oct 12th & 13th.

October 12, 1999                         October 13, 1999 

(8:00am - 1:00pm)                        (8:00am - 1:20pm) 



american kestrel        13               american kestrel    7 

merlin                   3               merlin              1 

peregrine                1 (11:59)       peregrine falcon    1 (12:19) 

sharp-shinned hawk      57               red-tailed hawk     2 

cooper's hawk            5               northern harrier    3 

red-tailed hawk          8               turkey vulture     16 

northern harrier        11 

turkey vulture           7 

bald eagle               2 (2Im.8:55) 

Unidentified Buteo       1 



Total count            108               Total count        30 

Andrea Raithby reports from Hawk Cliff Oct 12th from 8:30am to 1:00pm

• Sharp Shins 9.
• Coopers Hawk 1.
• N Harrier 4.
• Merlin 1.
• Peregrine Falcon. 2.

Andrea Raithby reports more hawks after 4:00pm , counting continued 'till 6:00pm so these are the total numbers of hawks seen at Hawk Cliff today oct 11th. October 11, 1999 7:30am - 6:00pm

• american kestrel 158
• merlin 14
• sharp-shinned hawk 497
• cooper's hawk 35
• *northern goshawk* 2 (3:43, 5:24)
• red-shouldered hawk 33
• red-tailed hawk 130
• *swainson's hawk* 1 (12:58)
• northern harrier 57
• turkey vulture 902
• bald eagle 1 (Im.10:14)
• Total count 1830

Observers were , Tom Bolohan, Barry Cherriere,Alf Rider, Dave Brown,Andrea Raithby, Su ross.

Numbers for Oct 9th & 10th at Hawk Cliff . Winds were almost at a standstill and foggy conditions didn't bring too many birds for the two days.

OCT 9th.

• Merlin 2.
• Sharp Shins 36.
• Redtail 1.
• N Harrier 3.
• Turkey Vulture 57.

Oct 10th.

• Merlin 1.
• Sharpshins 9.
• Coopers Hawk 1.
• N Harrier 4.
• Peregrine Falcon 2.

Strong South West winds yielded some good looks at peregrines with a couple of Peregrines following behind a couple of Golden Eagles ( the first Goldens of the season )

Here are the numbers for Oct 8th .Submitted by Andrea Raithby.

• kestrel 1
• sharp-shinned 3
• cooper's 1
• peregrine 8
• red tail 1
• n.harrier 5
• t.vulture 190
• golden eagle 2

Andrea Raithby reports the numbers from Hawk Cliff Oct 7th.

October 7, 1999
today's count:

• kestrel 6
• sharp-shinned 10
• cooper's 3
• n. goshawk 1
• red shouldered 5
• red tailed 27
• n. harrier 9
• t.vulture 316
• U. I accipiter 3
• U.I. buteo 2

Total count 382

Count for Oct 6th at Hawk Cliff :

• kestrel 123
• merlin 7
• sharp-shinned 133
• coopers 16
• n. goshawk 6
• n. harrier 73
• broad wing 12
• red shoulder 8
• red tail 52
• t.vulture 1148
• bald eagle 1 [Im.12:25], 1 [Im.1:38], 1 [Ad.1:56], 1 [Im.2:25]
• total count 1582

Observers were Andrea Raithby,Ray Reilly, Betty & Alf Jay.

October 5, 1999
Here is today's count:

• kestrel 25
• sharp-shinned 35
• coopers 4
• n. goshawk 1
• n. harrier 14
• red tail 6
• turkey vulture 378
• bald eagle 1 [Im. 11:16], 1 [Im. 2:47

Winds were from the South West , they started off light and became stronger in the afternoon. Observers were Keith Sealey, Ray Reilly, Barry Cherriere, Andrea Raithby,

Unfortunately I dont have the official list of Raptors migrating today Oct 4th. But I spoke to Keith Sealey on the phone and he was saying they had 5 or 6 Goshawks Some Red shoulders, Broadwings, Merlins, Kestrels, N Harriers, and lots of TV's.

When the list is made available to me I will post it.

Numbers for October 3rd.

• Sharp Shinned Hawks 412
• Coopers Hawk 37
• Red Tail 109.
• Red Shouldered Hawk 6.
• Bald Eagles 6.
• Am Kestrel 52
• Merlin 3.
• Peregrine Falcon 1.
• Turkey Vulture 267.
• Northern Harrier 45
• Osprey 3.

Observers were . Tom Bolohan , Keith Sealey, Ray Reilly , Barry & Linda Cherriere.

Hi, Gord.
Both Sat.and Sun.were good at Hawk cliff this weekend and for different reasons.

Saturday was overcast with S.W air flow.--------- Good for PEREGRINES as Shay reported yesterday. They were flying along the cliff, mostly gliding on the ribbon of updraft that under those conditions runs all along the cliff from end to end. I saw 23 and 6 others had been found before 9am.

Sunday was sunny with slowly increasing overcast, leading to rain in the late afternoon with a gusty Northerly surface winds. The high clouds were however moving from the S.W.and getting thicker as the warm air from the South pushed up by the cold heavy air from the North.

Compared to yesterday only 1 PEREGRINE was seen, and that was high up in a thermal .

These changed conditions gave a much different spectrum of birds. Here were the gliders, including BROAD-WINGS, RED-TAILS and an occasional RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.

The numbers will be put up by Shay, But it was a great contrast these two different days .

A SNIPE and two SWANS were also seen.

A day to thank the organisers of the count and the local farmer who is allowing birders into his field to count hawks. How many folks made a donation to the Foundation?

Good Birding,

Here are the numbers of hawks and falcons that were seen today at Hawk Cliff October 2nd.

• Sharp Shinned Hawks 136.
• Coopers Hawk 5.
• Red Tail 1.
• Red Shouldered Hawk 1.
• Bald Eagles 8.
• Am Kestrel 17.
• Merlin 14.
• Peregrine Falcon 29.
• Turkey Vulture 5.
• Northern Harrier 53.
• Osprey 28.

Observers arrived at 8:00am and stayed until the rain started at 4:15pm. Winds were light and from the South east.

Observers were Keith Sealey, Tom Bolohan, Mac McAlpine, Barry Cherriere, Dave Brown, Ray Reilly, Alf Ryder.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

September 30, 1999

Bob Currie who visited Aylmer Lagoons and the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area asked me to relay to Ontbirds readers that the Red Phalarope was not found today.

Water is high at both places and the only shorebirds seen were Killdeer. There are increasing numbers of Canada Geese but not many ducks.

Among 8 flocks of Canada Geese migrating over my place today between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. was a single adult white phase Snow Goose. The 1st Pine Siskin of the fall came to our feeder with a flock of House Finches.

The flu has kept Su Ross and myself from going to Hawk Cliff but Keith Sealey and a few others have been keeping count . So from 9am to 1:00pm they had

• N Harrier 6.
• Sharp Shin 41.
• Am Kestrel 52.
• T V 4.
• Merlin 1.
• Coopers Hawk 2.
• Broad Wings 20.
• Red Tail 1.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

The red phalarope was still present , in the middle of the three ponds, at about noon today. In the same pond were about 20 ruddy ducks in winter plumage. Two harriers quartered the area for the entire time I was there. A single Sedge Wren was between the first and second pond.

Dave Martin's excellent directions are:

Aylmer Sewage Ponds: From Exit 203 on Hwy 401 drive south towards Aylmer on the old Hwy 73 (Elgin then Imperial Road). North of Aylmer turn right on Glencolin Drive. Turn left on Rodgers Road. The ponds are about 1 km south on the right.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Hi everybody,
Today, I was a volunteer at the Port Burwell Hawk Viewing with Dave Martin. I arrived early (8:00 AM) and was treated to a life bird on the beach. A juvenille SABINE'S GULL was mixed in with a flock of Bonaparte's. I observed it standing and flying. The wing pattern was perfect and very easy to pick out while it was flying. Dave showed up and saw it just in time before it was chased off by 6 Bonaparte's Gulls. It has not been seen since 9:00 AM this morning. During that time a flock of 4 SNOW GEESE flew over as well.

On the way home, I stopped at the Aylmer Sewage Lagoons for the RED PHALAROPE. It was easily found on the North Side of the 2nd Lagoon.

Directions: Port Burwell- From the 401, turn south on Highway 73. Follow 73 to County Road 42 and turn east. Signs will direct you to the Provincial Park. Gull was located on beach by Parking Area 5 in the Day-Use Area.

Aylmer Sewage Lagoons- On Highway 73, turn west on Glen Colin Line.
Follow to Roger's Road and turn south. Lagoons are located about 1/4 mile down the road.

The following are the numbers from Hawk Cliff; Saturday, September 25, 1999.

• Sharp-shinned Hawk - 406
• Cooper's Hawk - 2
• Broad-winged Hawk - 374
• Red-tailed Hawk - 6
• Bald Eagle - 9
• American Kestrel - 26
• Merlin - 1
• Northern Harrier - 46
• Osprey - 4
• Turkey Vulture - 7

Winds were northeast this morning switching to light south winds this afternoon. Observers were Su Ross, Mac McAlpine, Pete Chapman, Keith Sealy and Dave Brown

Hi :

Friday Sept 24th:

Bald Eagle - 1 . Imm at 10:38am and that was it for Hawk Cliff today but there were several water spouts to keep onlookers busy for at least forty five mins.

About twenty people turned up to watch this awesome event.

Observer, Su Ross.

Sept 23rd Thursday
Mild S W winds this morning but gusting in the afternoon brought a few hawks.

• Osprey 4.
• Sharp Shins 9
• N harrier 13.
• TV 20.
• Am Kestrel 6
• Bald Eagle 1.
• Merlin 1
• Peregrine Falcon 3 one adult & two Imm

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Here are the numbers for Hawk Cliff today Sept 22nd.

• N Harriers -51.
• Sharp Shins- 234.
• Am Kestrel -31.
• Coopers hawk -1.
• Broad Wings-324.
• Red Shoulder- 1.
• T V-39.
• Bald Eagle-4.
• Red Tail-3.
• Osprey-2

Observers were , Su Ross, Keith Sealey, & Ray Reilly

Hi Gord,
The numbers for Hawk Cliff are as follows:

• N Harriers 51.
• Sharp Shins 234.
• Am Kestrel 31.
• Coopers hawk 1.
• Broad Wings 324.
• Red Shoulder !
• T V 39.
• Bald Eagle 4.
• Red Tails 3.
• Osprey 2.

A pair of Bald Eagles put on a display for the observers by locking talons , The winds are picking up tonight and Su Ross is hoping for some Peregrine Falcons tomorrow.

Observers : Su Ross, Keith Sealey, & Ray Reilly.

Hi Gord,
Su Ross reports there were hundreds of Broad Wings that were too far away to count and the clear blue sky didn't help matters, but she did manage to get 360 that came down within range. Hawk Cliff numbers for today Sept 21st.

• Sharp Shins 442.
• N Harriers 40.
• Broad Wings 360.
• Bald Eagle 9.
• Red Tails 9.
• Am Kestrel 113.
• T.V. 13.
• Coopers hawk 6.
• Osprey 1.
• Merlin 1.

Winds were strong and from the North at 8:00am the temp was 5 degrees celsius. Observers were , Su Ross, Keith Sealey, ray Reilly, and Andrea.

Hi Gord .
A slow day today with S W winds in the morning switching to NW in the afternoon.

• Sharp Shins 17
• Red Tails 1
• N harriers 31
• Am Kestrels 26
• Osprey 1
• Bald Eagle 1
• Broad Wings 7

Hi Gord.

South winds again and warm temperatures seemed to slow down the migration today at Hawk Cliff but we had a large crowd for the presentations put on by the Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders .

Todays numbers are as follows.

• Sharp Shins 24,
• Coopers Hawk 1,
• Red Tail 1,
• Am Kestrel 25,
• Merlin 5 ,
• Peregrine Falcon 2,
• Bald Eagle 3,
• N Harrier 70,
• Osprey 3 ,
• Turkey Vulture 7.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Nine OFO members joined us at the Port Burwell P.P. Hawk Watch today along with another 50 visitors from the campground and local communities.

Despite the heavy migration through southern Ontario the past two days there was still enough of a steady trickle of hawks to keep everyone busy watching. From 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. we counted 839 individuals of 8 species of hawks including 7 Osprey, 4 Merlin, and 620 Broadwings. When we first arrived two Merlins were perched in the same tree near the viewing area for about 1/2 hour and later an adult male Merlin perched in full sight for 1 1/2 hours.

A small flight of other migrants included 820 Blue Jays, 190 goldfinches, 166 cormorants and 5 hummingbirds.

Other interesting sightings included 7 Little Gulls (2 adults, 1 2nd year bird and 4 juveniles), and 3 golden plover, 1 Long-billed Dowitcher and 1 Stilt Sandpiper on the Otter Creek harbour mudflats.

After the watch some of the participants wandered through the interdunal meadows with us and found 10 species of butterflies including 2 Buckeyes and 2 Fiery Skippers. The Bottle Gentians and Swamp Lousewort were nearly finished but the Fringed Gentians and Grass-of-Parnassus were at their peak. One of the patches of Bottle Gentians was of the rarer 'white' form.

There will be 4 more Hawk Watches with naturalists at Port Burwell P.P. this fall: Sept 16, Oct 2, 3 and 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Port Burwell P.P. has a wonderful campground, a magnificent beach, and a woodland trail if you are interested in spending a few days in the area.

Hi Gord,
Despite the South winds we had good numbers and good views of hawks today at Hawk Cliff .The live raptor display put on by the "St Thomas Field Naturalists, Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders and the Hawk Cliff Foundation", drew large crowds.

Raptors seen today.
111 Sharp Shins , 1 Coopers Hawk, 1,055 Broad Wings, 3 Red Tails, 82 Am Kestrels, 3 Merlins, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Bald Eagle, 113 N Harrier, 13 Osprey, 14 Turkey Vulture.

Thanks .

Hi Gord :
Here are the numbers for Friday Sept 17th.

• Sharp Shin 556.
• Coopers Hawk 6.
• Broad Wing 3,970.
• Red Tail 15.
• Bald Eagle 10.
• Am Kestrel 109.
• Merlin 1.
• N Harrier 130.
• Osprey 5.
• *RED SHOULDERED 1.

Clear blue skies made it extremely difficult to see and count all the Broadwings. They were just too high even with binoculars.

Observers were Su Ross , Keith Sealey,Barry Cherriere, Tom Bolohan.

Thanks Gord .

Hi Gord :
North winds brought some good numbers of hawks today and the totals are as follows.

• Sharp Shins 839.
• Coopers Hawk 10.
• Broad Wings 447.
• Red tail 8.
• Am Kestrel 330.
• Merlin 2
• Peregrine falcon 2.
• Bald Eagle 6.
• N Harrier 51.
• Osprey 5.

Total # of hawks 1,700

Observers were Su Ross, Keith Sealey, Barry Cherriere & others.

Hi Gord :

Total hawks seen at Hawk Cliff for Tues Sept 14th.

• N Harrier 7
• Sharp Shin 91
• Am Kestrel 140
• Merlin 3
• Osprey 3
• Coopers Hawk 1.

Totals for Wed Sept 15th, from 7:30am to 4:30pm.

• Am Kestrel 236
• Sharp Shin 61
• N Harrier 9
• Osprey 14
• Merlin 8
• Peregrine falcon 3
• Bald Eagle 3, two adults and one Imm

Observers and counters, Su Ross, Keith Sealey,Barry Cherriere.
Thanks .

Hi Gord;

Hawk counts for Sat Sept 11th:

• Sharp Shins 192
• Am Kestrel 273
• Osprey 8
• N Harrier 16
• Broad wings 3
• Merlin 1
• Bald Eagle 1
• Peregrine 1

Numbers for Sunday Sept 12

• Sharp shins 74
• Am Kestrel 225
• N Harrier 20
• Merlin 9
• Osprey 5
• Peregrine 2
• Bald Eagle Imm 1
• Coopers Hawk 1

Observers were Su Ross, Tom Bolohan, Keith Sealy, Barry Cherriere & others

Hi Gord:
At Hawk Cliff today from 8 :30am until 11:30am Sept 4th we had 322 Sharpshins, 56 Am Kestrels, 6 N Harriers , and 1 Adult Bald Eagle. Not bad for a hot day with light N E winds.

Observers were Su Ross, Tom Bolohan, and Myself.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Aylmer Avocet
August 22, 1999

The Aylmer Avocet was still present at noon today.

Again it was feeding actively and water levels remain good so there is no particular reason why it shouldn't stay here. Unless it's a cloudy day viewing conditions are better in the afternoon and evening because the viewing stand faces east.

Aylmer WMA is located northeast of Aylmer on the east side of the Ontario Police College. From Hwy 401 Exit # 203 drive south on Elgin Road which becomes Imperial Road (in Elgin County!) until you reach College Line. Turn east (left) on College Line and drive to Hacienda. Turn south (right) on Hacienda and drive to the south boundary of the Police College where a paved laneway on the left leads you to the viewing stands.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Sat.Aug.21,1999

Today Stan Bajurny and I drove to Aylmer in the am, met Dave Martin and his wife and of coarse we also saw the Avocet and that was as soon as we arrived. We left at 10:00 am and it was still feeding there. Thanks for the earlier posting Dave, it was well worth the trip down there.

We then drove to the lake and headed along regional road 42 towards Long Point. Between Port Burwell and Houghton Centre on 42 we stopped to look at a newly harvested potato field to see if anything of interest was there when Stan drew my attention to a large shorebird close overhead. It was a Willet that circled twice before heading to the Lake Erie shore.

We then proceeded to Big Creek Marsh at Long Point, stopping along the way at Lee Brown Conservation Area where we found 6 eastern Bluebirds, 4 of them juveniles. At the Big Creek Marsh we found 6 Great Egrets and 8 species of shorebirds, including 18 Short-billed Dowitchers, we also saw Forster's and Caspian terns there.

On to the Turkey Point Overlook along Lakeshore Road where we spotted 2 of the 4 Sandhill Cranes that were there, 2 Golden Plovers, 3 Black-bellied Plovers, 2 Trumpeter Swans and about 50 misc. shorebirds of different species including Pectoral Sandpipers and Short-billed Dowitchers.

I hope I didn't miss any of the highlights but it is almost midnight and I just got home and it's been a long day with another tomorrow on the Leslie Street Spit.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Aylmer Avocet
August 21, 1999

The Aylmer Avocet was still present this morning at 9:15 a.m. It was feeding actively and water levels are good so there is no particular reason why it shouldn't stay here. Directions are below in the original posting.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

An Avocet was first discovered at 5:30 p.m. and was still present at 8:30 p.m this evening at Alymer WMA. The bird is in adult winter plumage as were the two birds seen at Port Burwell on August 17. The Port Burwell Avocets have not been seen since August 18.

At times the Avocet feeds close inshore to a berm between the viewing stand and the large expanse of open water and can disappear from sight for up to 1/2 hour at a time. If you are patient though sooner or later a redtail or vulture will circle over head and flush the shorebirds. At one point this evening a Great Blue Heron came in to feed and flushed the Avocet out into the open. The bird was observed sleeping and feeding vigorously at times.

Aylmer WMA is located northeast of Aylmer on the east side of the Ontario Police College. From Hwy 401 Exit # 203 drive south on Elgin Road which becomes Imperial Road (in Elgin County!) until you reach College Line. Turn east (left) on College Line and drive to Hacienda. Turn south (right) on Hacienda and drive to the south boundary of the Police College where a paved laneway on the left leads you to the viewing stands.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Just returned from Pt. Burwell where we located one of the American Avocets reported to us by Marshall Field. Two were there yesterday afternoon when Marsh and Dolly found them.

Anyone interested take # 19 hwy south from Tillsonburg to the lakeside village. Go out the east side of the creek to the parking lot at the end where you can park along the channel. The Avocet, along with a Killdeer, several Least Sandpipers, and one Semipalmated Sandpiper, was feeding on, and along, the exposed mud flats on the west side of the channel. A Cormorant, several Mallards and numerous Canada Geese also on the channel while we were there.

Good Birding.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Monday, August 16

Loafing on the beach at Port Burwell Provincial Park were 200+ Common Terns, 2 Caspian Terns, 500+ Bonaparte's Gulls, 1 adult basic Little Gull, and 3 Sanderlings.

Shorebird habitat is excellent at Aylmer WMA with 100+ birds of 9 species including 4 Ruddy Turnstones which are rare inland. The first Green-winged Teal showed up on August 14.

Habitat is also excellent for shorebirds at the southernmost pond at Belmont Sewage Ponds with 250 birds of 8 species.

Burwell Provincial Park is south of Tilsonburg on Lake Erie on the west side of Otter Creek. Aylmer WMA is about 2 km north and east of Aylmer behind the Ontario Police College. Belmont Sewage Ponds are south and west of Belmont. Drive south about 1.0 km from Belmont on Belmont Rd (formerly Hwy 74) and turn right on Taylor Line which deadends at the ponds.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Conditions at Aylmer Wildlife Management Area are good for shorebirds. Today, in the rain, there were about 50 birds of 8 species including Solitary Sandpiper (1), Lesser Yellowlegs (25), Greater Yellowlegs (1), Pectoral Sandpiper (10), Least Sandpiper (10), Semipalmated Plover (2).

Aylmer WMA: From Hwy 401 exit south at Exit 203, drive 16 km south on Elgin Rd (Imperial Line when you cross into Elgin County) to Ron McNeil Line. Turn east, drive to Hacienda Rd., turn south and drive 2 km to the south end of the Ontario Police College where you will see the entry sign.

Other birders have reported Little Gulls along the east Elgin Lake Erie shoreline to me going back to July 26. A breeding plumaged Little Gull and 1 second summer bird were reported from Port Burwell on July 26 and one adult was seen at Port Bruce on August 5.

Hi Gord!

The 401 between Dutton and West Lorne is a great spot these last few days to see migrating TUNDRA SWANS close in. The best access is at the south side gas station and Tim Hortons heading east. There you can park out back by the trucks and see the swans within 100m. Many of the fields near this station have been holding swans for several weeks. On Thursday evening, there were close to 3000 birds.

The sewage lagoons at the station also had several pairs of HOODED MERGANSERS, and also some SHOVELERS, MALLARDS and CANADA GEESE.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

An immature bald eagle was feeding less than 100 yards from the road, and 3 others were soaring above Talbot Creek, just below the Talbot Estate, Elgin County. I don't know the name of the road, but it's runs along the Lake Erie shoreline. A half an hour later, driving back to St. Thomas, the eagle was still there, so we stopped, and observed. Another very large eagle was sitting in the tree and then flew down to try to steal a scrap - no luck. This one was very white in the chest area? but was definitely an immature bald eagle (from size & beak).

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Sunday, January 31
East Elgin backroads: Port Burwell to Tilsonburg to Aylmer

While cruising backroads north and east of Port Burwell we encountered 3 different Turkey Vultures between 10:00 a.m. and noon, each moving west (migrating or just foraging on an east tail wind?). Other highlights included 2 male Eastern Bluebirds near Guysborough.

At Aylmer Wildlife Management Area 500+ Cedar Waxwings and 50+ American Robins are having a field day in the hedge rows of buckthorn, highbush cranberry, crabapple, mulitflora rose, pin cherry, etc. The ponds froze long ago.

West Elgin had its bird count on December 27, 1998, with 64 counters participating. Weather was generally overcast and poor with strong west/southwest winds gusting to 50 kph. The West Elgin count has taken place for the past 52 years.

A final total count of 74 species was recorded and included highlights of 3 Northern Mockingbird, 1 immature Northern Goshawk, 1 Hermit Thrush, 8 Double Crested Cormorants 2 Killdeers, 2 Lapland Longspurs, and 1 Thayer's Gull. As well, over 4,500 Snow Buntings were tallied, which was low compared to some previous years (highs of over 5,000). A disappointing number of hawks and winter finches were recorded. Please find attached a list of the count with comparative information for the past five years.

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

West Elgin and Rondeau area, December 6, highlights

Ridgetown S.P. and nearby fields

• Tundra Swan 1500+
• Snow Goose 9 blues and 2 snows
• N. Shoveler 10
• Mallard 500+
• Black Duck 100
• Ring-necked Duck 9

Blenheim S.P.

• Avocet 1 Present since Nov 11 or 12 according to Keith Burke
• Ring-necked Duck 7
• scaup 5
• Bufflehead 8

McGeachy Pond

• Pied-billed Grebe 1
• American Coot 1
• Hooded Merganser 12

Erieau Pier

• Double-crested Cormorant 5
• Ruddy Duck 150
• Purple Sandpiper none, not reported Dec 7 either by Ann White

Rondeau Bay

• Tundra Swan 100
• Mute Swan 10
• Horned Grebe 4

Bates Marsh (causeway near Rondeau P.P. entrance)

• Mallard 500+
• Black Duck 200+
• N. Pintail 3
• Great Blue Heron 1

Bates Bush

• Tufted Titmouse 1
• Carolina Wren 1
• Yellow-rumped Warbler 1

Despite intensive searches of shorebird habitats NO shorebirds, not even Killdeer (except Avocet).

Sighting reports originating from the ONTBIRDS mail server network are repeated courtesy of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO).

Central Elgin County, December 5

The three GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were still at Aylmer Wildlife Management Area at 2:00 pm today and can be seen morning or afternoon most days.

Aylmer WMA

• Blue Goose 1 present for over 1 week

Aylmer SP

• Hooded Merganer 1 female
• Ruddy Duck 1 female
• Bonaparte's Gull 25

Belmont SP

• Tundra Swan 8
• N. Shoveler 1 male
• N. Pintail 3 females
• Bonaparte's Gull 35
• KILLDEER 5

Tundra Swans (in numbers) returned pretty much on schedule through central Elgin County over the past two days. Throughout the day of November 11, 7 flocks passed by; the largest flock was 38. Around 3:30 am on Nov 12 we were awakened by calling swans passing over head. Over the next hour, five more flocks kept us awake with their calls. Today at Aylmer Wildlife Management Area we counted 50 Tundras and at Aylmer Sewage Ponds 250.

This morning at Port Bruce strong southwest winds for the third day stimulated a flight of gulls, grebes and ducks, mostly to the west. From 10:00 am to noon we watched 29 flocks of 5 to 20 Bonaparte's and 30 + flocks of ducks pass by. Unfortunately no Franklin's Gulls with the Bonaparte's! Most of the ducks were Red-breasted Mergansers, but N. Pintail, Black, Mallard, N. Shoveler, Bufflehead, White-winged Scoter and scaup also moved west along the shoreline. Four Horned Grebes fished offshore. Two very small, pale shorebirds moving unexpectedly to the east against the main flow of movement may have been Red Phalaropes.

At Aylmer WMA, the swans were in the company of 200+ Canada Geese, 2 adult GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (last year one adult showed up here on Nov 16) and a smattering of ducks. The only shorebirds were 2 Common Snipe. Two late Turkey Vultures passed by overhead.

At Aylmer Sewage Ponds, a variety of ducks and gulls included 18 Gadwall, 3 Amer. Wigeon, 50+ Ring-necked Duck, 25+ Bufflehead and 200+ Bonaparte's Gulls. An adult Northern Shrike hunted along the fence line.

All day numerous flocks of migrating Horned Larks were seen. One group of 5 Snow Buntings briefly touched down on the beach at Port Bruce.

As for Willie D'Anna questioning his anecdotal comments on Franklin's Gulls as not being appropriate for ONTBIRDS, I disagree. I think his pointing out the rash of sightings, analysis of recent and past occurences and suggestion to get out and look are exactly what ONTBIRDS should be. Thanks go to those who put their sightings in the context of their local birding area. We learn a lot from these brief additions to a bird sightings list (which otherwise doesn't have as much meaning).

Hi. GORD.

A cold day at the 'CLIFF produced a RED-THROATED LOON among the COMMONS. The MOCKINGBIRD sat up on the highest hedge and FOX SPARROWS graced the corn field edge.Lots of BLACKBIRDS and STARLINGS flew around the area all day,including a few RUSTY's.

An ad. and imm. GOLDEN EAGLE flew together past at 11.25.The only ones. A dark phase ROUGHLEG,and singles of SHARPSHIN;. N. HARRIER;, Am. KESTREL and T.VULTURE helped to add to our totals.

REDTAILS numbered 14 and GOLDEN EAGLES 2. The eagles passed together at 11.25. CEDAR WAXWINGS numbered around 150but no other kinds graced the flocks!.

GOOD BIRDING.

November 1, 1998
Port Bruce on the Erie shoreline east of Hawk Cliff.

On the 4th day of north winds we were surprised with more hawks than yesterday but, alas no Golden Eagles today. We watched from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Again, today, the hawks were hugging the shoreline and many returned on an almost due north flight path as they came back ashore after having been blown out over the lake.

• TV - 17
• BE - 2 (both juveniles)
• NH - 13
• SS - 21
• CH - 13
• RS - 41
• RT - 420
• RL - 2 (1 light, 1 dark)

total - 529

There was also a tremendous flight of Cedar Waxwings today. We didn't start counting until we realized the large number passing but still ended up with 685. There were also good numbers of starlings, pipits, a few snow buntings, and 12 bluebirds. A Pileated Woodpecker flew up to a nearby woodlot several times over the morning. Curious, we investigated and found that it was eating wild grapes while sitting uncharacteristically on a side limb of the tree that the grape was climbing.

Hi Gord :

Another great day at Hawk Cliff! North winds and clear, high blue sky, provided good birds as follows: Coops. 20, Sh.Shins 9, Rough-legged 4, Red-shouldered 27, Red-tailed 502, GOLDEN EAGLES 11, Am. Kestrel 1, N. Harrier 11 and Turkey Vultures 100. To make the day even more special 3 Sandhill Cranes were seen. To date we are at 70 Golden Eagles - compared to 50 for all of the 97 migration!!!

Good Birding -

October 31
Port Bruce, Elgin County east of Hawk Cliff

The Golden Eagles continue to stream through in one of the best flights in years.

At Hawk Cliff, only 10 Goldens have been recorded this year prior to Thursday 29th, then the flood gates let loose with 36 Goldens on Thursday, 16 on Friday and 11 today. In 1987 barely over 50 were recorded for the entire fall.

Today at Port Bruce we marvelled at 9 Goldens between 1100 am and 130 pm: 7 adults, 1 subadult and 1 juvenile. This was our 3rd highest one day count for Goldens in the last 15 years. Hawk Cliff noted 3 adult Goldens compared to our 7 adults and 8 or 9 juveniles compared to our 1 so more Goldens are going through than are seen at either spot.

Not : For those who only come to Hawk Cliff (or anywhere along the Erie shoreline) occasionally, especially at this time of the year spend the first 15 or 30 minutes or so determining where the day's flight path is: i.e along the shore, slightly inland or way inland. Then move accordingly.

Today, when we arrived there were hawks moving at the lakeshore and inland as far as one could see. The word is that the eagles will fly where the TVs. Not today though. The TVs were inland but most of the eagles and many of the hawks were at the lake including many coming in OFF the lake. They had been blown "out to sea" further east and were working there way back to shore . The sun was so intense today that we chose to sit at the lake and look inland with the sun at our backs. We may have sacrificed seeing larger numbers but there were enough birds moving at the lake to give us good looks at all of the species and 8 of the 9 eagles.

Total hawks for the day at Port Bruce were 387.

• TV 49
• OS 1
• NH 4
• SS 9
• CH 5
• RS 22
• RT 295
• RL 1 light phase
• ML 1

PS Tomorrow's weather for London and area is strong north winds up to 40 km. Are there any more Goldens to come or have they all bombed through in the last 3 days ??

Today, I spent a couple hours at Hawk's Cliff. During that time, 4 GOLDEN EAGLES and 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK flew over. RED-TAILED and RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS were abuntant as well.

HI.GORD.
SU ROSS the OFFICIAL COUNTER at H.C. was unable to be there today so the 'OLD CODGERS' did the count from 10.15am. to 3.30pm.

The favourable winds of yesterday had gone being replaced by Easterlies - the worst direction I'm told. however they proved to be quite good today, even the 4 'OLD CODGERS' got in a good count.

The sky was pure blue all day and it was hard to see the high flying hawks and eagles with no contrasting background to use as a reference point. Younger eyes with better visual acuity would have had greater totals we were shure but they just were not around.

OUR TOTALS-.

• RED-SHOULDERED HAWK 45.
• REDTAIL 190.
• COOPERS H. 3.
• SHARPSHIN 3.
• N.HARRIER 4.
• BALD EAGLE 2imm.
• GOLDEN EAGLE 5 ads.+ 11 imm.
• T.V.40.

A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER spent a lot of time calling nearby. A large dog was hit by a farm truck and got a nasty shock and a lesson to look first and to do as it was told!!!.

GOOD BIRDING.

Hi Gord :

It was a fantastic flight of eagles today at HAWK CLIFF ,with 36 GOLDEN EAGLES and 5 BALD EAGLES , all eagles were reported as immatures , other birds seen were , 641 REDTAILED-HAWKS , 27 ROUGH-LEGGED , 149 RED-SHOULDERED , 25 SHARP-SHINS ,10 COOPERS , 17 NORTHERN-HARRIERS , some were males ,205 TURKEY VULTURES , 2 OSPREY . Observers were counting from 8:30am to 4:00pm .

The North winds have encouraged the eagles to move out.

On Thursday several passed in the morning and I saw a ' flock' of 4 in the pm . which had an ad. GOLDEN with 3 imm .BALD EAGLES . The eagles took their time coming along ,and gave us leisurely looks at them .

COOPERS HAWKS and RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS also put on a good show. T.V.s passed in hundreds .

PIPITS and BLUEBIRDS also put on a good show.

GOOD BIRDING.

Hawks at Port Bruce on Lake Erie

From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Ross Snider watched a good hawk and passerine migration. He regrets not arriving earlier and unfortunately couldn't stay later. Besides hawks there were 820 Amer. Crows, 2 Tree Swallows, and 125 Amer. Pipits. If Ross saw close to 600 hawks in a two hour period what was happening at Erie Metro Park, Hawk Cliff, High Park ??

• TV - 205
• BE - 1
• NH - 7
• SS - 252
• CH - 25
• NG - 1
• RS - 12
• RT - 126
• RL - 1
• RL - 1

Total - 631 (in two hours at mid-day!!)

Migration inland at Harrietsville.

Harrietsville is about 20 km north of the Lake Erie shoreline. There was a strong movement of crows and blackbirds from 8:20 a.m. until about 12:30 pm. Over the four hour period I observed 2, 833 American Crows in 20 flocks. The largest flock had 630 crows. This shatters my previous one day yard record of 2,370 crows on OCTOBER 22, 1990 (same date!). Hawk totals were TV-12, SS-1, CH-1, NH-4, RT-1. Obviously, one had to be at the lake today. No hawks inland. New at the feeder today were Fox Sparrow, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Purple Finch.

PS
In a previous posting Ann White from London reported that I had seen 500 Tundra Swans at Aylnmer Wildlife Management Area. That should have been 500 Canada Geese.

Hi Gord :

Oct 22nd 98 HAWK CLIFF NUMBERS .

It was a cold day at the cliff and it even snowed a little , but it was a good day for hawks . COOPERS HAWKS 20, SHARP SHINS 233, GOSHAWK 1, RED-SHOULDERED 3 , RED-TAILED 77 , ROUGH-LEGGED 6 , BALD-EAGLE 3 , GOLDEN-EAGLE 3 , N HARRIERS 13 , TURKEY-VULTURES 208

Good birding .

After two days of south winds, the weather report forecast a shift in winds to the west so we headed to our favourite spot along the Lake Erie shoreline near Port Bruce but were not rewarded. From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. we saw 8 Sharp-shins, 1 Cooper's, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 Bald Eagle, 5 Redtails, and 48 Turkey Vultures. Other migrants of interest included 4 Common Loons, 1 Red-headed Woodpecker, and 6 Northern Flickers. Noticeably absent were any migrating crows.

In a nearby woodlot we 'swished' in a Tufted Titmouse, 1 Blue-headed Vireo, 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, 3 Eastern Phoebes, 1 Eastern Towhee, 2 Hermit Thrushes among others.

At Alymer Wildlife Management Area (aka the 'Police College') there were 24 American Golden-Plover, 15 Black-bellied Plover, 3 Dunlin, 1 Greater Yellowlegs and 5 American Pipits.

Greetings.

I arrived at Hawk Cliff this morning (Sunday, Oct. 18th) at 9am and faced a robust southwest wind and an empty parking lot. Although raptor diversity was predictably lacking, three hours of observing nevertheless yielded 4 Peregrine Falcon sightings (1 flew W to E) and 3 adult Bald Eagle sightings (again, 1 W to E). Most welcome, however, was the 11:15am light-phase adult PARASITIC JAEGER in view for some two minutes offshore. I knew there was a reason for enduring 3 hours of sand in my ear...

Cheers,

ctb

***************************************

Christopher T. Burris, Ph.D.

Department of Psychology

St. Jerome's University

Waterloo, ON  N2L 3G3

CANADA

phone: (519)884-8111,ext.213

fax: (519)884-5759

e-mail: cburris@watarts.uwaterloo.ca

***************************************

HI. GORD.
Thursday. A pleasant day with a couple of MONARCHS . Lots of T.V.S - 300+. The migration otherwise was weak today with less than 20 SHARPSHINS and the same for N.HARRIERS. A couple of BROAD-WINGS flew over later in the pm. The last bird of the day was also the closest---- a MERLIN almost caught us by surprise as it came from behind a tree and zoomed directly overhead at tree top height.

A first winter RED-HEADED WOODPECKER sat for a while in the 'Merlin Tree' and had a good look around before flying off. Two huge flocks of STARLINGS passed the biggest was 100m.x30m.x20m.est.and made a great rushing noise as they passed overhead and turned away. My guestimate was 10,000in one and 1,000 in the other. Early in the morning there was a big passage of dabbling duck sp. 2+Km.outover the lake, too far to identify against the light

GOOD BIRDING.

HI GORD.
The N.winds brought more raptors winging their way to warmer climes.
The first counted bird today was an AM.KESREL at 8.30 along with a selection of Warblers, Kinglets and Phoebes in the shrubs and Sparrows below. All the usual birds turned up ------ KESTREL. MERLIN. SHARPSHIN. COOPERS. N.HARRIER. RED-TAIL .RED-SHOULDERED. T.V.s. put on a good show with over 300. At 4.20pm. An imm. GOLDEN EAGLE flew directly overhead the observers to be followed an hour later by another eagle just too far away to distinguish as to species.

No PEREGRINES were reported today.

The weather was virtually cloudless all the time and the colours just PERFECT. GREAT COMPANY TOO!!!!!

GOOD BIRDING.

Today started off rainy and dull but in Port Burwell it cleared up nicely. A hawk watch was held in the park today. The hawks weren't plentiful but a good variety was seen. I saw 2 immature BALD EAGLES, 1 PEREGRINE FALCON, about 10 SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, 2 COOPER'S HAWKS, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS and 4 OSPREYS. Other birds of interest were PINE SISKIN, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, CASPIAN TERN and FIELD SPARROW.

I was talking to some other people who said there were BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS in the area. I quickly went looking for them with success. This was my 217th bird for Ontario.

HI. GORD
This evening there were an EARED GREBE and SORA RAIL in the 2nd lagoon and a RED- NECKED PHALAROPE in the 3rd. lagoon at PORT STANLEY. I hope this is of interest to local birders.

Hi Gord :
The numbers at hawk cliff today Sept23 were not that fantastic , but the highlite was a red- shouldered hawk the first so far for us .the hawk numbers are as follows.

N H .   47.

S S.    89.

C H .    2.

AmK.    36.

B W.    81.

R T.    9.

R S*    1.

B E.    6.

T V.    2.

O S.    2

The spotters today were Su Ross Keith Seeley Diane Haselmayer from Sarnia Eleanor Wellman from Muskoka.

Apart from the small numbers of hawks there were large numbers of warblers in the hedges and trees, some of the species seen were ,Nashville,palm, yellow-rumped,magnolia,black-throated blue,black poll,red-eyed vireo, and the list goes on.Most of these warblers were spotted by a trio from Buffalo NY, Molly & john Barton & Alec Human, they know their warblers by sight & sound .

HI.GORD. Tuesday was another exellent day at HAWK CLIFF near PORT STANLEY. ONT .

Again the high quality of the HAWK WATCHERS present was amply demonstrated to the visiting birders as they pointed out the mostly high flying hawks, many were up at around 500ft. but the majority of BALD EAGLES were up over 1000ft. OSPREYS and MARSH HAWKS passed in good numbers. KESTRELS and SHARPSHINS put in a good show whilst distant looks at a PEREGRINE and a MERLIN were a bit disappointing.

Warblers put in quite a show in the hedges as they were actively migrating through all day along with RUBY CROWNED KINGLETS and WAXWINGS. Up the road we had a flock of BLUEBIRDS mixed in with ROBINS feeding in some Dogwood.

GOOD BIRDING.

Hi Gord , Shay Redmond here with a report from hawk cliff .
Sept 22-98 time, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
It was a good day at Hawk Cliff with a North wind and cool temperatures.
Su Ross , Alf Rider, Keith Seeley, Mac McAlpine were counting hawks today.

Here are the numbers.

CH.  2

SS.  117

BW.  365

RT.  2

BE.  14 [2 adults +12 juveniles ]

Am K.  104

Mer.  1

Pgfa.  1

NH.  27

OS.  4

T V.  1  

HI. GORD. Today, the 20th. of Sept.dawned clear on Lake Huron but at Hawk Cliff it began to rain briefly. The rain left but the clouds never really left, letting a lot of sun through . The Expert hawk watchers always amaze me with their ability to see the next raptor just before it has cleared the next countys boundary!!! They really are amazing spotters. Today PEREGRINS, MERLINS and OSPREYS put in a great show. The birds were flying in the up draft from the cliff, and BALD EAGLES were quite low too allowing great looks at them. A few MARSH HAWKS a couple of eary morning SHARP SHINS and some AM. KESTRELS later in the daymade the time pass quickly. The Banders brought out some raptors at 11am. and in the afternoon before releasing them. MERLINS were featured at both programs, with great looks at the banded birds before they were released. 2 SWIFTS and several HUMMINGBIRDS added to the lists . A GREAT DAY and THANKS to all the experts who with their great visual acuity and patience helped everyone see more hawks and explained some of the finer points of field identification I must close as it is thundering around here Good Birding.

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