Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Southern Ontario Reports => Topic started by: Murray on February 20, 2009, 01:34:20 PM

Title: Highway of Hawks
Post by: Murray on February 20, 2009, 01:34:20 PM

While driving from Toronto to Windsor today the wife & I counted 27 hawks, almost all

  Redtails. We counted none from Toronto to London but 25 from London to Chatham.

  Would these be a mix of early migrants & wintering Hawks. I am pretty sure Big Frank

  mentioned that the Hawk migration started with a trickle in Mid February. Quite a few were

  in pairs sitting together.

  Have A Great Day!!

  Murray

Title:
Post by: BIGFRANK on February 20, 2009, 02:33:08 PM

HI Murray,always fun to scan the roadside when on the highways. If U saw pairs,chances are they are birds that stayed the winter. This time of year the pairs sit close to each other alot. They will soon disappear from roadsides back to their breeding areas and get head starts. A pair Ive watched for 8 years has already started repairs to their old nest and guard their territory.
 Migration does start this time of year for raptors. Ive been checking peak times lately so we can plan a few outtings for the gang to Beamer,to give us the best chance for big days. The last week of March/early April for one visit and Apr16-22 sometime.

Title: highway of hawks
Post by: Napper on February 20, 2009, 04:23:56 PM

Hey!!

There are still many hawks along both the 401 and the 403.. We use one or the other on the way home every day..

Yes, this week I noticed that they seemed to be pairing up..  2  Redtails along the tracks plus 2 kestrel chasing each other around ( Downsview  AFB)

Napper:))

Title:
Post by: backyard birdin on February 25, 2009, 05:27:07 PM

The 403 between Hamilton and Burlington always has a ton of hawks hanging out.  The QEW aswell.