Wind (current)

October 18th - Some Day Our Birds Will Come!

Several birders arrived early this morning including myself as we were expecting a decent flight of birds.  With near perfect conditions we sat and waited...and waited...  Birds came but they were really few and far between.  Wind up high appeared to WNW and lower down it seemed to be from various directions throughout the day.  I'm starting to get the feeling that we may be at the park until Christmas looking for hawks!

Today:
Turkey Vulture - 10
Osprey - 1
Northern Harrier - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 10
Red-shouldered Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 2
Merlin - 2
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 29

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1350
Osprey - 117
Bald Eagle - 95
Northern Harrier - 88
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1338
Cooper's Hawk - 33
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 5
Broad-winged Hawk - 139
Red-tailed Hawk - 117
Rough-legged Hawk - 1
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 463
Merlin - 51
Peregrine Falcon - 39
Total - 3836

Monarch migration was much slower today with only 13 counted.  6 more Loons were observed.  Our first Dark-eyed Juncos of the season were seen flying from shrub to shrub and a late Northern Parula was heard calling by me and beautifully photographed by Ann.

Here's a couple of fabulous captures courtesy of Paul Reeves...

Hermit Thrush

Winter Wren

On-hand today were: Paul, Carol, Berle, Dave, Ron, Terry, Allison, Patti, Manny, Peter, and Ann.  Thank you everyone for another great day despite the lack of birds.

I forgot to mention that the unidentified eagle that we saw back on October 14th will remain just that 'unidentified'.  After reviewing photos taken that day it was realized that none were of an eagle.  Not enough field markings were seen through binoculars or scopes to positively ID the bird 100%.  It happens!

Walter

October 17th - Our first Rough-legged Hawk!

Sorry, short and sweet tonight...

Today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 3
Cooper's Hawk - 2
Rough-legged Hawk - 1
Total - 6

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1340
Osprey - 116
Bald Eagle - 95
Northern Harrier - 87
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1328
Cooper's Hawk - 33
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 4
Broad-winged Hawk - 139
Red-tailed Hawk - 115
Rough-legged Hawk - 1
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 463
Merlin - 49
Peregrine Falcon - 37
Total - 3807

It was a great day for Monarch migration with another 108 butterflies counted.  Six more Loons were added as well.

Kris, Ron, Terry, Berle, Allison, Betty, Lee, Arvo, Manny, Carol and Ann all enjoyed a fabulous October day at the park.  So did I.

Walter

Special Post - The Coming Days...

Please watch the weather forecasts for the next couple of days, a slight shift in the wind direction and we could have ourselves a festival of feathered fliers (a.k.a. lots of birds)!  Or, they may come anyway!

Walter

October 15th - Peregrine Falcon goes for Gold!

This morning as I was sitting and wondering if anything would fly by on the strong ESE wind an adult Peregrine Falcon came flying along the bluffs from the east at eye-level.  As it got to the Watch site it quickly made a sharp left-hand turn and headed straight out over Lake Ontario.  It was flying directly towards the Niagara region.  Because of the cloud cover and lighting on the American side I was able to view this bird flying for quite a long time.  This is only the third time that I've seen a Peregrine attempt the crossing and twice I've had excellent lighting...I guess the bird too!  It would appear to me that they must focus on a distant landmark and keep it in sight all the way across.  They don't seem to stray very far off target.

Today:
Osprey - 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 9
American Kestrel - 1
Merlin - 1
Peregrine Falcon - 3
Total - 16

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1340
Osprey - 116
Bald Eagle - 95
Northern Harrier - 87
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1325
Cooper's Hawk - 31
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 4
Broad-winged Hawk - 139
Red-tailed Hawk - 115
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 463
Merlin - 49
Peregrine Falcon - 37
Total - 3801

Here are a couple of great photos courtesy of Helena...


local Red-tailed Hawk
 
One of the local Red-tailed Hawks put on a spectacular show for us this afternoon.  He flew from one side of the park to the other dive-bombing at unsuspecting squirrels.  Our newest friend and fellow hawk-watcher Helena sure got her eyes filled with the flying abilities and hunting skills of this large bird.  At one point it passed behind us just clearing the fence between us and the big Maple tree.  It also was kind enough to do some 'kiting' right above Helena so she could get some great photos of it.
 
Also, earlier in the day one of the Red Foxes decided to stroll right through the center of the park.  We never did see it return.  We added another 32 Monarchs to our count as well.
 
On-hand today were; Terry, Helena, Hugh, Manny, and Cori.  Thanks for your help!
 
Tomorrow's is looking 'Wet' but maybe clearing in the afternoon.  The strong SW wind may bring some Peregrines and Osprey our way.
 
Walter 
 

October 14th - Lots O' Vultures!

Today was not quite as good as we had expected but in the end 321 birds was a decent number.  With light wind a lot of the flight path was to the north of the park over Kingston Road and beyond.  This made identification tough at times.  I'd like to thank everyone for their help and great friendship today.  In all it was just a wonderful way to spend the holiday.

Today:
Turkey Vulture - 233
Osprey - 1
Bald Eagle - 2
Northern Harrier - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 38
Cooper's Hawk - 3
Red-shouldered Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 34
American Kestrel - 3
Merlin - 1
Peregrine Falcon - 4
Total - 321

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1340
Osprey - 114
Bald Eagle - 95
Northern Harrier - 87
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1316
Cooper's Hawk - 31
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 4
Broad-winged Hawk - 139
Red-tailed Hawk - 115
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 462
Merlin - 48
Peregrine Falcon - 34
Total - 3785

Eagle Time (EDT):
12:24 PM - BE
02:07 PM - BE

At 11:46 AM we had a UFE (unidentified flying eagle) over the center of the park, I'm now waiting for a photo to confirm it's identity.  Stay posted.

Today we counted 264 Loons, 250 of them were sitting out on the lake.  Anthony found them in his scope and was kind enough to count them.  Another 48 Monarchs were observed today headin' south.  Other great sightings today included: a Raven, Horned Larks, Eastern Bluebirds, and a Red-tailed Hawk who I think was helping a Black Squirrel move further along the Bluffs.  He sure was holdin' him tight in his talons so he wouldn't fall!

So many great folks came by today including: Manny, Lorne, Mike 4, Cori, Terry, Ann & her mom, Sonja, Kris, Ron & Jean, Pat & Nancy, John, Berle, Mark, Mike 3, Allison, Betty & her friend Bob, Bruce, Hugh, Peter, Julie, Patti, Margaret, and our new friend Helena.  Again, thank you everyone!

Tomorrow's wind is not looking great but, who knows.

Walter

Special Post - Monday's Looking Great

The predicted forecast from wunderground.com is "Clear. High of 17C. Winds from the NNW at 10 to 15 km/h."  Very similar forecast from weathernetwork.com.  Let's hope they've got it right!

Walter

October 12th - Another 3!

John took over the hawk-watching responsibilities today in my absence and unfortunately only had 3 birds to count.  Thanks John!

Today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 1
Total - 3

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1107
Osprey - 113
Bald Eagle - 93
Northern Harrier - 86
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1278
Cooper's Hawk - 28
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 3
Broad-winged Hawk - 139
Red-tailed Hawk - 81
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 459
Merlin - 47
Peregrine Falcon - 30
Total - 3464

Phil and I went down to Fort Erie to see Ontario's newest bird species, a Brown Booby.  Normally these birds are not seen any further north than Miami, FL but on occasion have been known to stray northward along the east coast.  There have been two reports from Nova Scotia over the years but never so far inland.  Very likely, this bird was brought here on strong wind from the south.

Tomorrow is not looking too promising at present with an 80% chance of rain.

Walter

October 11th - A Long Day Watching Raptors!

Sadly, there were just 3 countable raptors over the 5 hour period we were at the park.  I can confidently say that it wasn't for lack of trying as we had lots of eyes on the skies today!

Today:
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1
American Kestrel - 1
Merlin - 1
Total - 3

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1107
Osprey - 113
Bald Eagle - 93
Northern Harrier - 86
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1277
Cooper's Hawk - 28
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 3
Broad-winged Hawk - 139
Red-tailed Hawk - 80
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 458
Merlin - 47
Peregrine Falcon - 30
Total - 3461

A couple of photos courtesy of Ann...

local Red-tailed Hawk

Merlin
 
Monarch migration appears to be slowing down somewhat with only 11 counted today.

Congratulations Ann on a new 'Lifer'...

Winter Wren

On-hand today were: Mike 3, Arvo, Sheldon, Pat & Nancy, Bruce, Tony, Effie, Ron, Jean, Berle, Carol, Tim, Julie, Lynn, and Ann.

I personally had much better luck watching these Raptors...


The final score was: Raptors 100 - Knicks 91

Tomorrow (Saturday) I will not be present at the park.  Likely the East wind will not bring much our way.

Walter

October 10th - Red-shouldered Hawks!

Today we saw the first of what we hope to be many Red-shouldered Hawks.  We had 3 circling together up high across the park.  Some low passing clouds made viewing difficult at times.

Today:
Osprey - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 4
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Red-shouldered Hawk - 3
Red-tailed Hawk - 2
Peregrine Falcon - 1
Total - 12

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1107
Osprey - 113
Bald Eagle - 93
Northern Harrier - 86
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1276
Cooper's Hawk - 28
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 3
Broad-winged Hawk - 139
Red-tailed Hawk - 80
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 457
Merlin - 46
Peregrine Falcon - 30
Total - 3458

Monarch butterflies still continue their migration in respectable numbers with another 56 counted today.  Three new birds were added to our fall bird list; the Red-shouldered Hawk, Eastern Towhee, and Winter Wren.  Also, 3 Foxes were seen in the afternoon.

These 2 shots are courtesy of me...

Eastern Towhee

Winter Wren
 
And these are courtesy of Ann...
 



Kris, Arvo, Berle, Ann, Mike, Pat, Nancy, and a few others were at the Watch today.

Friday's predicted forecast calls for N and NE winds between 5 and 15 km/h.

Walter

October 9th - Back to...

...all blue sky and wrong way wind unfortunately!  Nothing seen for the first two hours and then a few birds finally came along.

Today:
Turkey Vulture - 1
Northern Harrier - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 2
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Merlin - 1
Peregrine Falcon - 1
Total - 7

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1107
Osprey - 112
Bald Eagle - 93
Northern Harrier - 86
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1272
Cooper's Hawk - 27
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 139
Red-tailed Hawk - 78
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 457
Merlin - 46
Peregrine Falcon - 29
Total - 3446

All photos are courtesy of Ann today...

Peregrine Falcon

Northern Harrier

Sharpie - another one of Ann's classic 'butt' shots!

Merlin

53 Monarchs were counted today as well as another Loon.

Monarchs filled the main garden again today

Carol, Berle, Ann, Terry, Cori, and Manny were there for some of the fun and excitement.

The weather forecasted for tomorrow is "Overcast. High of 19C. Winds from the ENE at 5 to 15 km/h." according to wunderground.com's Upper Beaches weather station.  If birds come, they'll be high up.

Walter

October 8th - Finally!

We had a few hours today of decent wind and the birds didn't disappoint us.  Shortly after I arrived at 8:00 AM the sky started to fill with migrating Red-wings, Grackles, Cowbirds, Waxwings, Starlings, Robins, and Goldfinches.  The trees were filled with the calls of both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers.  One amazing highlight came early today as I watched a group of roughly 15 young Starlings circle across the center of the park with their new buddy, a Sharpie!  Nothing happened, they seemed very happy together.  Eventually they would break and go their separate ways.  Hawk migration started at 11:00 AM and went until about 1:30 PM before someone turned off the tap!  Only eight more birds would be seen between 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM.  Overall I was quite happy with the result today, especially after so many long days of almost nothing.

Today:
Turkey Vulture - 438
Northern Harrier - 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 31
Cooper's Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 10
American Kestrel - 1
Merlin - 6
Peregrine Falcon - 1
Total - 493

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 1106
Osprey - 112
Bald Eagle - 93
Northern Harrier - 85
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1270
Cooper's Hawk - 27
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 139
Red-tailed Hawk - 77
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 457
Merlin - 45
Peregrine Falcon - 28
Total - 3439

Shots today are courtesy of me...

Our first kettle of Turkey Vultures

Still more!
 
local Red-tailed Hawk

 
 
Peregrine Falcon

Two new bird species were added to our fall season park list today.  They were Orange-crowned Warbler and Hermit Thrush.  Two more Fox sightings today, one on the opposite-side of the fence right beside us and then later on it returned straight through the center of the park.  Monarch migration was spectacular today with at least 175 'Butterhawks' counted.  The main garden around the fountain was absolutely dripping with Monarchs by the time the Hawk Watch was over.  Shortly after leaving the park, I met Cori on Kingston Road and after telling her about what I had just witnessed we drove back down to the park so she could have a look and take photos.

Lots of Monarchs

Red Fox
 
Our group today consisted of: Ron, Terry, Kris, Berle, Betty, Hugh, Carol, Manny, Cori, and out in the field, Lee.  My thanks to all for a great job spotting the birds as many were quite high up and not easy to see or identify.  Also, a big shout out to Terry's wife Marion for a tasty thermos of coffee today.  Without it I wouldn't have been able to count all of those Vultures!

Walter

October 6th - 9 Birds During the Afternoon

With good strong wind from the SW in the afternoon I headed down to the park to see what might fly through.  Well...nothing until Lee showed up around 2:30 PM.  We had tallied 4 birds up within just a couple of minutes of her being there.  We then had another 5 birds come by over the remainder of the afternoon.

Today:
Northern Harrier - 3
American Kestrel - 2
Merlin - 2
Peregrine Falcon - 2
Total - 9

To Date:
Turkey Vulture - 668
Osprey - 112
Bald Eagle - 93
Northern Harrier - 80
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1239
Cooper's Hawk - 26
Northern Goshawk - 0
Red-shouldered Hawk - 0
Broad-winged Hawk - 139
Red-tailed Hawk - 67
Rough-legged Hawk - 0
Golden Eagle - 0
American Kestrel - 456
Merlin - 39
Peregrine Falcon - 27
Total - 2946

Here's a shot I took of a Northern Harrier as it struggled along fighting the wind...

 
Only 2 Monarchs today!

Fellow hawk-watchers today included: Lee, Terry, Cori, Carol, and Alex.

NW wind early tomorrow and then it switches on us again!

Walter