Raptors Are Moving
Outdoor Ontario

Raptors Are Moving

BIGFRANK · 29 · 8563
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BIGFRANK

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on: August 06, 2010, 07:27:54 PM
Today being the first decent day with reasonable temperatures and a good Northwest wind,Walter,Carol,Pat,Nancy and I were at Rosetta McClain Gardens expecting a few migrating birds of prey. We were not disappointed. The first bird of the watch was at 938am,a juvenile Broadwinged Hawk flew over. By 2pm we had seen the Broadwing,2 American Kestrels,3 Turkey Vultures,a Coopers Hawk and an Osprey.
  We also saw a Blue Gray Gnatcatcher,many Barn and Northern Roughwinged Swallows,a few Purple Martins,many Cedar Waxwings and many Baltimore Orioles migrating.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by BIGFRANK »

Cody

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Reply #1 on: August 06, 2010, 07:48:29 PM
Hi Frank,

When will Hawk Cliff be starting this year?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Cody »

BIGFRANK

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Reply #2 on: August 06, 2010, 08:55:58 PM
Hi Cody I have no idea,I would imagine someone will be there in mid-August,but I will try to check with our buddy Colin. For sure it wouldnt pick up until about a week into September. Colin did tell me that spike(peak) days for Broadwings is around Sept 15 or 16(weather pending of course). I dont think Id make the trip to Hawk Cliff until September,its very hit and miss this early in the season.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by BIGFRANK »

Bluffs Birder

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Reply #3 on: August 07, 2010, 12:44:10 AM
To add to BIGFRANK'S list of migrants from today, we also had 12 Great Blue Herons fly by heading westward over the course of the morning.

Walter
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bluffs Birder »

Cody

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Reply #4 on: August 07, 2010, 12:57:01 AM
Quote from: "BIGFRANK"
Hi Cody I have no idea,I would imagine someone will be there in mid-August,but I will try to check with our buddy Colin. For sure it wouldnt pick up until about a week into September. Colin did tell me that spike(peak) days for Broadwings is around Sept 15 or 16(weather pending of course). I dont think Id make the trip to Hawk Cliff until September,its very hit and miss this early in the season.


Thanks Frank.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Cody »

Bluffs Birder

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Reply #5 on: August 26, 2010, 10:29:48 PM
Conditions today at the Rosetta McClain Gardens Hawk Watch were absolutely perfect for a good flight of raptors and sure enough they didn't disappoint.  Today we saw 11 out of the possible 15 different species of raptors that we usually count during the fall migration, not too bad for an August day.  We tied our single day high Osprey count with 15, and the sightlines for many of the birds was incredible today as several passed at eye level or below us along the Bluffs.

Turkey Vulture - 4
Osprey - 15
Bald Eagle - 4
Northern Harrier - 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 15
Broad-winged Hawk - 26
Red-tailed Hawk - 4
American Kestrel - 12
Merlin - 2
Peregrine Falcon - 1

Plus all our local hawks including the Cooper's Hawk.

Another bird of note today was the Common Nighthawk, we saw 3 of them.

Walter
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bluffs Birder »

Tyler

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Reply #6 on: August 26, 2010, 10:47:39 PM
Sounds like You had a Great raptor day for August anywhere in Ontario.

Did the Broad-wings pass in one kettle or several smaller ones?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Tyler »

Bluffs Birder

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Reply #7 on: August 27, 2010, 09:32:29 PM
Hi Tyler,

No real kettling at all, most showed up in groups of 3 or 4 and several came individually.  We had one which flew with a Bald Eagle out over the lake.  Many gave us excellent views as they flew along the side of the Bluffs.

Some 'up-flight' birds from this morning included 2 more Osprey and 2 more juvenile Bald Eagles.  The Eagles put on a 15 minute flight display that won't be forgotten any time soon.  We also had a Merlin that sat in a tree eatin' a Goldfinch for lunch.

Walter
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bluffs Birder »

Misty01

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Reply #8 on: August 29, 2010, 08:58:18 AM
Hey Frank are you going to have the blog on the migration like last year? It was really well done.
Crystal
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Misty01 »

MEGHAN

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Reply #9 on: August 29, 2010, 09:08:25 AM
Hey Crystal,
I've already been following it, so I'll post it for you..and anyone else who is interested.

http://raptorwatch.blogspot.com/

Meghan
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by MEGHAN »
"Birds are a visual treat that reaffirms the joy and goodness of living. Birds are also the most elegant expression of life”.
Roger Tory Peterson


http://www.flickr.com/photos/luv2brd/

Bluffs Birder

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Reply #10 on: August 30, 2010, 08:19:41 PM
Thanks Meghan for posting the link.

Walter  :)
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bluffs Birder »

Misty01

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Reply #11 on: August 31, 2010, 07:19:16 AM
thx Megs  :D
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Misty01 »

BIGFRANK

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Reply #12 on: September 08, 2010, 01:26:18 AM
Thursday looks like great conditions right now for a large movement of raptors. Friday also looks promising. Sept 9th and 10th. Im sure any of Cranberry Marsh,High Park,Hawk Cliff,Holiday Beach or my own watch at Rosetta McClain Gardens would welcome all comers. We are hoping for a big day!  Remember with strong NW or N winds blowing,it will be cool..take appropriate clothing! 10am-2pm is prime time,but raptors will go later under perfect conditions.  A warning that Northwest Wind Disease may not be accepted by some employers as a legitamate excuse to miss work!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by BIGFRANK »

ravynne40

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Reply #13 on: September 08, 2010, 07:47:21 AM
Quote from: "BIGFRANK"
A warning that Northwest Wind Disease may not be accepted by some employers as a legitamate excuse to miss work!


Don't they have a vaccine for that already? LOL and why wasn't the WHO informed of this new virus? *just kidding*
just heard on the weather that there will be some northwesterly winds this afternoon
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by ravynne40 »
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Bluffs Birder

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Reply #14 on: September 08, 2010, 08:32:32 PM
Today at the Rosetta McClain Gardens Hawk Watch we observed our 76th Osprey fly by, an amazing number so early in the migration.  A sure sign that this species is doing well.

Also today, BIGFRANK counted his 25,000th raptor (a Sharpie!) at the park since he started his Hawk Watch in 2004.  Congratulations!!!

Walter
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Bluffs Birder »

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