Hello,Im BIGFRANK,your host and avid raptor watcher. Please read the information provided,then plan to join me in watching birds of prey flying along the shoreline of Lake Ontario from atop the western end of The Scarborough Bluffs. Possible sightings of 15 species of raptors(birds of prey),including Osprey,Redtailed Hawks,Golden Eagles,Bald Eagles and Turkey Vultures.
WHERE: Rosetta McClain Gardens
in Scarborough Ontario Canada,at Kingston Rd and Glen Everest Rd. One stop-light east of Kingston Rd and Birchmount Rd. If U have them bring scopes,binoculars,cameras or bird books. The gardens are wheelchair accessible and have bathrooms and many benches.(note: no dogs,no picnics,no bicycle riding or no ball playing are allowed in the Gardens)
WHEN: From Sept1-Nov30 almost daily I will be present counting migrating raptors.Peak migration is from mid-September to mid-October. Peak time of day is most often 10am-2pm.Optimal conditions for large movements of raptors are on days with moderate north-west winds and nice white puffy clouds,though high volumes of Sharp-shinned Hawks occurred on winds with a south element.
WHAT IS SEEN: Any given day any or all of 15 species of migrating birds of prey can be seen,migrating along the shores of Lake Ontario. Some birds will land briefly in the trees of the gardens,some circle briefly,while most fly past. Last season nearly 6000 birds of prey were seen,including Bald Eagles,Golden Eagles,Osprey,Turkey Vultures,Northern Harriers,Rough-legged Hawks,Red-tailed Hawks,Broadwinged Hawks,Red-shouldered Hawks,Northern Goshawks,Coopers Hawks,Sharp-shinned Hawks,Peregrine Falcons,Merlin and American Kestrels. Our best count was over 750 raptors in one day.
Please check back often once fall migration season starts for daily reports.If U decide to join me,I will do my best to show U whatever comes our way and pass on information to you. Contact me at raptor.watch@hotmail.com
August 31 2008
The month of August is the start of fall migration. It starts slow,leading to September's much higher numbers.
This August was no different. It was infact slower then normal owing to better weather then normal. Warm,humid conditions are not condusive to movement of birds of prey,so Augusts total of only 78 raptors is quite low.
Turkey Vulture...............1
Osprey..........................12
Bald Eagle......................2
Northern Harrier.............5
Sharpshinned Hawk.......16
Coopers Hawk...............6
Broadwinged Hawk........7
Redtailed Hawk.............14
American Kestrel...........11
Merlin.............................2
Peregrine Falcon.............2
September 1 2008
Aside from a few Air Show planes,a few birds of prey moved along the bluffs today. 20 birds were seen,including
Turkey Vulture.........6
Sharpshinned Hawk..6
Coopers Hawk........1
Redtailed Hawk.......1
American Kestrel.....4
Peregrine Falcon......2
Day total...............20
Year to date..........98
Given conditions todays total was pretty good. I look forward to many better days ahead. Please note that I will not be present days when temperatures with humidex readings are ridiculously high! Very few birds would fly those days and I prefer not to bake! Hang in and watch for some North element winds.
