Sep 13th - The Skies Cleared, The Birds Came!

When I arrived at the park at roughly 12:30PM, the rain had stopped and the songbirds were everywhere.  Bruce and Phil had a list a mile long of new species for me to add to our fall Species List.  Flycatchers, Vireos, Kinglets and Warblers had all 'fallen' out of the sky due to the early morning rain.  What excitement!  We eventually made it down to the Watch and got ready for the big birds.  Slowly the clouds gave way to blue skies and the wind shifted to blowing from the northwest.  The hawks didn't take long to make up their minds and take advantage of the 'perfect' flying conditions.  It turned out to be a great half-day of hawk watching.

Today:
Osprey - 7
Bald Eagle - 2
Northern Harrier - 4
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 119
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 2
American Kestrel - 4
Merlin - 3
Total - 142

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 0
Osprey - 86
Bald Eagle - 37
Northern Harrier - 32
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 834
Cooper's Hawk - 13
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 148
Red-tailed Hawk - 20
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 138
Merlin - 41
Peregrine Falcon - 3
Total - 1352

Eagle Time (EDT):
02:41 PM - BE x2 (imm)

Here are a couple of quick shots that Arvo got of this Bald Eagle which snuck-up on us from behind.

Aside from PasserineFest going on in the park we had a Red-headed Woodpecker fly overhead at treetop level heading west as well as a small group of Purple Finches.

Monarchs continued to move through the area today with somewhere in the neighbourhood of 800 being seen.

Many thanks to those gathered today including - Bruce, Phil, Justin, Arvo, Eleanor, Trudy, Mark, Leon, MC, Betty, Sarah B, Sarah, John, Margaret, and Lee.  All your help spotting and identifying put us over the '100 Bird' count once again!

At last check winds will be from the NE in the morning but will switch around to SE somewhere about mid-day.

Walter

Sep 12th - 17 Bald Eagles!

Oh my, what a day!  Things took a little while to get going this morning but once they did, it was a nice steady stream.  With today's northeast wind, the birds were fairly high up but against the clouds they were quite easy to see.  Everyone gathered had a grand time finding birds and calling them out as they were in all areas of the sky.  Some folks were watching Eagles while others were counting Sharpies and every now and then, an Osprey.  In the two hours between 11:30AM and 1:30PM, we tallied 16 of our 17 Eagles for the day.  As the afternoon went on and the raptors started to dwindle, the Monarchs took over.  At one point, they were going by in small groups!  We counted 8 flying together along the top edge of the bluffs.  Also during this time, the 2 local Red-tailed Hawks decided it was time for another airshow!  Again diving down in to the park in every direction chasing the squirrels and terrifying the Hell out of unsuspecting park goers.  Somehow somewhere during their aerial acrobatic display the two birds amazingly morphed into three.  Don't know how it happened but it sure was incredible.  There was no sign of aggression towards this 'new' bird whatsoever.  Well, if the day wasn't exciting enough, we (the few that still remained) were told by a couple of cyclist that in the small park behind the Arts Council there were hundreds of Monarchs gathering in the trees.  This was something yours truly had never witnessed before.  So off we all went down the street.  Oh my, what a sight!  A mini version of Mexico!  My thanks to everyone today who made this one of the most memorable days in recent years.

Today:
Osprey - 13
Bald Eagle - 17
Northern Harrier - 7
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 123
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 54
Red-tailed Hawk - 5
American Kestrel - 18
Merlin - 5
Total - 243

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 0
Osprey - 79
Bald Eagle - 35
Northern Harrier - 28
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 715
Cooper's Hawk - 12
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 146
Red-tailed Hawk - 20
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 134
Merlin - 38
Peregrine Falcon - 3
Total - 1210

Eagle Time (EDT):
11:38 AM - BE (adult)
11:40 AM - BE (imm)
12:17 PM - BE (imm)
12:24 PM - BE x2 (imm)
12:28 PM - BE x2 (imm)
12:37 PM - BE (imm)
12:40 PM - BE (imm)
12:41 PM - BE (imm)
12:45 PM - BE (adult)
01:00 PM - BE x4 (2 adult, 2 imm)
01:30 PM - BE (imm)
02:34 PM - BE (imm)

Local Raptors:
Turkey Vulture - 2
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 2

Here are a few great shots that Ann got today...

a migrating Merlin

And one that I took...

Noted non-raptor sightings today included 10 Loons and several flocks of Canada Geese on the move.

As mentioned above, Monarch migration was off the chart today.  A conservative guess would be 1000+ but after seeing how many were in the park sitting on flowers, shrubs, trees and even grasses, I would have to say that 1000+ is 'very' conservative.  Not to mention all that we saw near the end of the day in the trees behind the Arts Council.

 

The day would not have been possible without the help of so many wonderful friends including - Terry, Lee, Norm, Ron & Jean, Byron, Don, John, Eleanor, Arvo, Tom, MC, Brian, Berle, Carol, Manny, Pat & Nancy, Leon, Lynn, Hugh, Ann, and new friend Sarah.  Sorry if I missed anyone's name today.

If it doesn't rain for too long tomorrow, it's likely we'll see a bit more action as NW winds are predicted for the afternoon.

Hope to see you out!

Walter

Sep 11th - 131 Birds, 121 Sharpies!

Not quite the way that I envisioned it...nor the weather people!  The wind didn't swing around to the northwest until at least mid-day and the sun never really did shine today.  It was mostly a very dull almost October kind-a day.  The wind seemed to die down somewhat in the afternoon as well.  Thankfully the Sharpies and the Monarchs kept us going.

Today:
Osprey - 3
Northern Harrier - 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 121
Broad-winged Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 2
Merlin - 2
Total - 131

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 0
Osprey - 66
Bald Eagle - 18
Northern Harrier - 21
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 592
Cooper's Hawk - 11
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 92
Red-tailed Hawk - 15
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 116
Merlin - 33
Peregrine Falcon - 3
Total - 967

Here's a few shots courtesy of Mike D.

Osprey

At least one of the local Red-tails did a lot of hunting in the park today.  She perched low in the trees and on top of several of the lamp posts in the gardens.  What a 'poser'.

(Mike D)

(Walter)

Non-raptor sightings today included seven Common Loons and a Common Raven.

Monarch migration was moving nicely along the bluffs today with 212 individuals being counted.

A wonderful cast today including - Betty, Dave W, Carol, Terry, Peter, Pat & Nancy, Derryn, Jeanie, Arvo, Trudi, Bruce, John, Berle, Mike D, Hugh, Murray, Manny, Leon, Gunnar, Eleanor, Lee, and Jeff.  A big 'thankyou' to everyone!

Wind from the north continues tomorrow but much lighter.  Hopefully the birds will still follow the shoreline.

Walter

Sep 10th - Nothing today?

Hopefully someone will have a few birds to report to me tomorrow as I haven't received any emails from anyone as yet.  I was unable to attend today's watch.

Tomorrow is looking like it's going to be very good.  At present, the winds are still predicted to be NW 25km/h and gusting to near 40km/h.

See you there!

Walter

Sep 9th - Slow Today

With light SE wind we were in no real hurry to get to the park today.  Actually we didn't start the Watch until 10:30AM and we were gone from the park by early afternoon around 1:30PM.  It just wasn't happening today.

Today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 5
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Peregrine Falcon - 1
Total - 8

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 0
Osprey - 63
Bald Eagle - 18
Northern Harrier - 19
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 471
Cooper's Hawk - 11
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 91
Red-tailed Hawk - 15
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 114
Merlin - 31
Peregrine Falcon - 3
Total - 836

 Nice day for para-gliding! (Walter)

One non-raptor highlight today was a flyover by a Pileated Woodpecker.

My thanks to Terry, Betty, Arvo, Manny, and Lee.

Tomorrow may see a few drops of rain in the afternoon.  Then, rain at night.  Keep an eye on Thursday.  At present the forecast is for NW 25km/h wind.

Walter

Sep 8th - What a Beautiful Day!

Today:
Osprey - 2
Bald Eagle - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 5
Total - 8

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 0
Osprey - 63
Bald Eagle - 18
Northern Harrier - 19
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 466
Cooper's Hawk - 10
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 91
Red-tailed Hawk - 14
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 114
Merlin - 31
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 828

Eagle Time (EDT):
03:00 PM - BE (immature)

 Osprey (Walter)

Sleepy Time (Walter)

Walter

Sep 7th - Not Bad For Half a Day!

As the Hawk Watch started today, the wind was still blowing from the northwest.  Unfortunately somewhere about mid-day the wind shifted to the southwest and the migration ended over Rosetta.  Not all was a loss though as early in the afternoon Phil started to see hawks flying over his backyard north of Lawrence Avenue.  He saw 3 Eagles, an Osprey and a few Sharpies!  Within 30 minutes or so, Phil jokingly declared that the 'The Dorset Park Hawk Watch' was officially open!

Today:
Osprey - 6
Bald Eagle - 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 63
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 4
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 10
Merlin - 5
Total - 92

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 0
Osprey - 61
Bald Eagle - 17
Northern Harrier - 19
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 461
Cooper's Hawk - 10
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 91
Red-tailed Hawk - 14
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 114
Merlin - 31
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 820

Eagle Time (EDT):
10:25 AM - BE (immature)
11:40 AM - BE (adult)

Merlin with dragonfly bits (Ann)

Another Merlin (Ann)

 Immature Bald Eagle (Mike D)

The local Cooper's Hawk really didn't care for this migrating Broad-winged Hawk (Mike D)

Early today we added a new bird to our Rosetta List.  We had a Pectoral Sandpiper fly over the park mixed in with a flock of 6 or 7 Pigeons.  Is it just me or does that seem a little weird...a shorebird in with pigeons!  This is bird species number 201 for Rosetta and also a new species for my own personal Life List.  I was the one who noticed the bird, Mike D was the one to get a few photos of it and Ron P was the one who identified it - wow, talk about teamwork!

Elsewhere in the park, many enjoyed getting photos of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds which were mainly feeding from the Black-and-blue Salvia.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Ann)

As with the hawks, the insect migration also came to a grinding stop mid-day.  Again things were looking real good up until the time the wind shifted.  We did however see roughly 200 Monarchs flying through.  The dragonflies were also in good number early on.

My thanks to: Lorne, Ron, Mike D, Phil, Leon, Betty, Mike P, Ann, Trudy, John, Mark, Terry 1, Carol, Norm & Honey, Dave & Mary Beth, and today we welcomed Paul P, Derryn and Donna to the group.  What a wonderful time!

Upon my arrival back home, I found our local Red-tailed Hawk (the one with the leg-band) sitting in the top of a neighbour's tree and being harassed by 6 American Crows.

 

Walter