Sept 8... 59 raptors YTD 388

As morning approached,wind forcasts changed continuously. What was to be a day of perfect conditions,gave way to a mid-day change in winds,moving raptors inland(more north then I could see). Still,Rob,Carol,Keith and I saw some good views of several species. While a number of Sharpies and Kestrels were high the clear blue skies made it seem worse then it was. Osprey were reasonably low,2 went through together..one was a huge female. 2 Merlin passed through,one made a dive at some small unseen by us,bird. The other zipped past,Im surprised Rob got a decent shot of it as it sped by.

The Broadwinged Hawks all circled together very high up. I caught what was eventually 8 American Kestrels together..I called them out as kestrels at first,then saw a whole stack of them and said ohhh no its just Swallows..then backtracked again when I got the colour on the tail of one of them. Getting it right in the end is what matters...isnt it? The final tally of 59 raptors consisted of:

1 Turkey Vulture

5 Osprey

1 Bald Eagle(adult at 11:50am)

2 Northern Harriers

13 Sharpshinned Hawks

1 Coopers Hawk

4 Broadwinged Hawks

30 American Kestrels

2 Merlin

Tomorrow the call is for rain..depending on if/when/for how long it comes,wind conditions are excellent. Better days to come. Provided there isnt a deluge,I will be at the park.

Sept 5 Day Count 43...YTD 306

Today was another decent early September migration day despite less then optimal conditions. The sky was 100% overcast most of the day. By 1pm things had pretty much shut down. Today I shared an Osprey(pictured) with Peter and while Georgia and I chatted a Peregrine Falcon made 2 passes of the park,on its return pass it took a run at a migrating Sharp-shinned Hawk. Todays total was 42 raptors consisting of:

2 Osprey

2 Northern Harrier

30 Sharpshinned Hawk

7 American Kestrel

1 Peregrine Falcon

Above is an Osprey. There seem to be several very humid days coming and then some very promising looking days after that. Always living in hopes.

Sept 3rd:Day Count 55...YTD 264

Today was warm and abit humid,which helped? to negate the good wind conditions. Still,we saw 55 raptors. A flurry of Sharpshinned Hawks with a few Northern Harriers passed by between 10am and 11am. We are doing much as "general" birders do in very early spring,hoping..wishing..willing migration to get busy and start in ernst. It's still early in hawk migration time to get a big day,but with the prediction of favorable winds we eagerly flock to our favorite raptor watching site,anticiapting skies lousy with raptors. Tomorrow is no different,there is a chance for a good day with a north element in the wind all day and a temperature cool down. The usual suspects were in attendance today,to see some portion of the 55 raptors:

2 Osprey
5 Northern Harriers
41 Sharpshinned Hawks
4 Broadwinged Hawk
1 Redtailed Hawk
1 American Kestrel
1 Merlin
55 Day Total

Sept. 2 Sharpies Push On:Day Count 29 YTD 209

Today was abit slow,but we persevered. Rob and I saw an early Osprey only about 30ft off the bluff as it made its way down along the lakeshore. Later Bob,Fred,Carol Mike and Les all joined us in enjoying the day and a few birds. Our 29 raptors consisted of:

1 Osprey
1 Broadwing
1 Redtail
1 American Kestrel
1 Merlin
2 Coopers Hawk (neither was the local..which was also seen)
22 Sharpshinned Hawks

Better days will soon be upon us,till then we have enjoyed ourselves seeing whatever comes our way.

Sept 1..Off To A Flying Start 43 Raptors

Today was another good early migration day. Once the winds shifted,it slowed down,but not before 43 birds were added to this seasons count. Sharp-shinned Hawks were the stars of the day,with 29 flying by. At Rosetta McClain Gardens,once Sharpies start,they dont seem to care at all what the winds are,they fly anyway. Last fall between the 6th and 10th of September a large number of the nearly 1000 birds seen were Sharpies,many of which were seen on what would be considered less than perfect conditions. Additionally,Bob,Rob,Keith,Carol and I saw :

6 Osprey

1 Turkey Vulture

1 Coopers Hawk

3 American Kestrels

1 Merlin

1 Northern Harrier

1 Broadwinged Hawk

Though some of the Sharpies were abit high,everything else offered good views. Rob managed some nice shots of a Broadwing and Coopers(that Ive seen so far),while I got passable shots of Turkey Vulture and Osprey(shame the osprey is silhouetted). The next several days could be spotty for migration,but I hope for the best.

Aug 31:20 Raptors...YTD 137

Todays count was 20 raptors. While abit lower then anticipated,a decent finish to August. Ron,Colin,Carol,Lynty and myself enjoyed a beautiful day and 3 of us had amazing looks at Canada's precision flying team The Snowbirds as they practised for this seasons CNE Airshow. Generally the show does seem to disturb migration,as the loud planes whizzing around the city,keeps or sends many birds north of us. Today's total of 20 raptors brought the final August total to 137. That ranks 2nd among the 4 years Ive counted at Rosetta. The final August total consisted of :

Turkey Vulture........................8
Osprey....................................15
Bald Eagle...............................4
Northern Harrier...................11
Sharpshinned Hawk..............29
Coopers Hawk........................9
Broadwinged Hawk................6
Redtailed Hawk....................19
American Kestrel..................30
Merlin.....................................3
Peregrine Falcon.....................3
August Total.........................137

A respectable start to the season,things should pick-up around September 6th when Kestrels and Sharpshinned Hawks start to move extensively.

Aug 30Best One Day August Count Ever

Hi gang up to this point,August had been extra slow,a combination of poor weather conditions coupled with my own lack of attendance. I refuse to poke even my nose from the house on days the humidex is very high! I had counted 58 birds of prey this month b4 today. Today was the best August count in the 4 years of the count..a final tally of 59 birds of prey. The day began with very grey dark skies,which momentarily gave way to some nice blue sky with white puffy clouds followed by the bright blue sky for the remainder of the day. We had some close up birds,but many were medium high today. Colin,Eleanor(sp),Ron,Leon and Tim joined me today...thanks everyone for your contributions to a great count and your comraderie. Our count consisted of:
Osprey.............5
Bald Eagle.........3(2 full adults and one juvenile)
Northern Harrier.4
Sharpie...........14
Coopers...........4
Broadwing........4
Redtail.............7
Kestrel...........15
Merlin..............1
Peregrine.........2

I expect a good day tomorrow as well,despite a very blue sky that will make spotting a challenge. This brings the August total to 117,which is about average for August. BIGFRANK

Welcome...Read...Watch...Enjoy

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. 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 Aug1-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 over 5600 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. My best count was over 550 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

Aug.23 2007 A Typically Slow August Count

This August has been typically slowfor raptors,with a year to date count of 43. That said some great views of Osprey,Redtailed Hawks,2 juvenile Northern Harriers and 2 early Broadwinged Hawks have been enjoyable. The 2 young Northern Harriers,circled and seemed to hunt within the area for at least a full hour. Below is are 2 photos of the Northern Harrier(s) and one of 2 juvenile Broadwinged Hawks,I shared with Jen and Derek Lyon and Carol..One even landed in the park briefly before carrying on.

Juvenile Broadwinged Hawk below.

Let me start by thanking all those who came to observe and help count raptors this fall at
the 2006 Rosetta McClain Gardens Raptor Watch. In addition to a fall with more normal weather patterns contributing to a record count,all of the extra eyes certainly added to the number of sightings as well. Thanks to all my raptor/birdwatching friends who came,for their comraderie and support. Many thanks to the many new folks as well. It was a pleasure to share the birds with U all. Id hoped this fall to attract some new people and show them alot and teach them at least a little about the amazing raptors we have the priviledge of observing in southern Ontario. I was very pleased with the turnout. Im also very glad that Scarborough or eastend birders have a local spot to enjoy the spectacle that is the fall migration. Special thanks to Rosetta McClain Gardens staff for keeping me full of coffee,allowing me to hang flyers and handing them out to interested members of the public,as well as their continued friendship. Amazing views at eyelevel of all species were greatly enjoyed. Several species co-operatively perched in the park,including Broadwinged Hawk,Merlin,American Kestrel,Sharpshinned Hawk,Coopers Hawk,Redtailed Hawk and Northern Goshawk.

Record numbers of all 15 species were recorded this fall. The greatest factor in this was undoubtedly the weather,but again as above,the great amount of help from all who joined in watching is also responsible for the increased number of sightings. On Oct 25 and 26th,13 of 15 species were counted and on Sept 29th and Oct.24th 12 species were seen. On 19 days more then 100 raptors were counted. Among them was the new one day record of 559(almost one per minute for 10 hours),3 days over 400,3 days over 300 and 8 days over 200.(note if over 300 counted,that is included in over 100,200 and 300 and so on as applicable) The highest hourly total this year was 125,or just over 2 raptors per minute,for that hour. In all there were 82 days of observation,as I count from August till the end November,for 510hours(best estimate without checking records),for an average of just over 11 birds an hour. This is undoubtedly significantly more hours,then some sites,but I as this is only year 3 of counting at Rosetta McClain Gardens,and the 2nd year of extensive coverage,I am still learning which times are active and need coverage.

SEASON DAILY HIGHS OF NOTE:

10 Merlins on Sept.9

10 Peregrine Falcosn on Sept 24

12 Ospreys on Sept. 9

142 American Kestrels on Sept. 20

282 Sharpshinned Hawks on Sept.20

48 Northern Harriers on Sept. 20

204 Red-tailed Hawks on Oct 25

Monthly Totals

Specie..........................Aug..................Sept.................Oct.............Nov...........Total

Turkey Vulture.................7......................206................222................1.............436

Osprey........................14.......................69....................9................0..............92

Bald Eagle......................3.......................35....................7.................1.............46

Northern Harrier.............10.......................309................144................25...........488

Sharpshinned Hawk..........11....................1656.................859................35.........2561

Coopers Hawk.................7........................50..................63..................7..........127

Northern Goshawk............0..........................5..................13...................6..........24

Redshouldered Hawk.........0..........................0..................21....................8.........29

Broadwinged Hawk............8......................207...................10...................0.........225

Redtailed Hawk...............16.......................69.................488..................255........828

Roughlegged Hawk...........0.........................0....................3.....................8..........11

Golden Eagle..................0.........................1.....................6.....................4..........11

American Kestrel............34......................596....................40....................9.........679

Merlin..........................0........................40....................18....................2...........60

Peregrine Falcon.............2........................40....................15....................1...........58

Final Totals..................112.................3283....................1918.................362.........5675

A complete document comparing the southern Ontario raptor migration sites will follow. BIGFRANK

Nov 20 3rd Time Lucky: 114 Raptors YTD 5672

With a 3rd day of favorable winds in a row,todays being the strongest,I was hopeful of a good day,but this late in the season didnt expect the day I had. To my surprise I had several small kettles of Redtailed Hawks,ranging from 3 to 10. There were also several times when the Redtails were streaming. One lowish Red-shouldered Hawk circled offering a great view. 2 Crows chased what was probably not a localish Northern Goshawk,through the park at a low level. I had a wonderful view as the Gos went over me at only about 20ft..almost too fast for binos. The same 2 crows also harrassed a Redtailed Hawk,providing a bit of a thrill for Gail. A dark-morph Roughlegged Hawk circled somewhat low,and was bird #100. I was very pleased to get a day of 100+ in November. The final total was:
Sharpshinned Hawk......5
Coopers Hawk.............2
Northern Goshawk.......1
Red-shouldered Hawk...2
Red-tailed Hawk.........100
Rough-legged Hawk.....3
American Kestrel.........1 These days it pays to hit your favorite raptor watch on days with a strong element of north in the winds. While it is definetly winding down,thats the best chance to see a number of raptors this time of year.

13 Raptors YTD 5537 + Piliated Woodpecker

Decided to give today a try,after another stretch of poor weather for birds of prey.I had a few raptors,then at 12:50pm a flurry of 10 went by,including 9 Redtailed Hawks and a single Northern Harrier. I thought maybe the skies were about to rain raptors but it was not to be. Final total was 2 Sharpies,10Redtails and a Harrier. My count is now 5537 for the season. A Sharpshinned Hawk landed in a tree in the park briefly,before carrying on its way. The best sighting of the day was a Piliated Woodpecker,that flew through the middle of the park,and landed in a tree in a yard at the end of the park. I suspect it may be around for a few days now,but of course thats purely speculative. It was my first sighting of a Piliated this year. Tomorrow should bring some more raptors by the park. The winds are to be favorable to SOME movement. I will be present early,but dont expect much raptor action until at least 11am or later. Bathrooms are still open until at least Tuesday,Nov 21.

Nov 12 97 Raptors including 2 Golden Eagles

Finally today a good north element wind,after a day of rain,brought raptors past Rosetta McClain again in higher numbers. Try as I mite,I couldnt drag 3 more birds over the park no matter how much looking I did. From 10am onward things were reasonably steady for this time of year until about 230pm. A flurry of Redtails came about 215pm,as 14 kettled together,followed closely by 2 others. A very low Red-shouldered Hawk gave Carol and I terrific views(it was her first sighting of one ever) and another later provided a great contrast in size with an adult Golden Eagle,which it circled with briefly. A dark morph Rough-legged Hawk,became Carols first RL sighting ever,and we both enjoyed it. Earlier a light morph Roughie circled co-operatively as we ID'd it. We may have seen why Loons are called Loons,as a Common Loon actually seemed to take a few runs at the Rough-legged Hawk as it circled! Todays 4 Rough=legged Hawks brought my year total to 8,which is the highest Ive counted at Rosetta McClain Gardens in a season(3 years). Year to date I surpassed the 5500 mark,now at 5518 raptors identified. Todays total included:
Northern Harrier.....................1
Sharpshinned Hawk................2
Redshouldered Hawk..............2
Redtailed Hawk....................84
Roughlegged Hawk..................4
Golden Eagle...........................2(adults,one at 12:45pm,the other 2:20pm)
American Kestrel.....................2
Thanks to Keith and Carol for their company on a terrific day! It was great to see that High Park and Cranberry Marsh both had amazing days as well. High Park got close to 400 raptors and Cranberry Marsh had over 700!