Hawk Cliff Woods Migration Weekend!

Members of the St. Thomas Field Naturalist Club have been counting and recording fall raptor migrations from Hawk Cliff since 1950. The data collected is added to a master database which indicates the long term trends in raptor populations right across North America.

Totals on September 27th as of 2:00 p.m.

Young Bald Eagle and Turkey Vulture: During our visit to Hawk Cliff, most of the birds were high in the sky, making photography challenging. Hawk Cliff is located on the north shore of Lake Erie, approximately 100 feet above water. Migrating birds travel from northern Quebec and Ontario using warm air rising from the ground. Soaring in these thermals, raptors rise up to several thousand feet and then stream out to the bottom of another thermal following a hip-hop pattern. This mode of travel conserves essential energy for their long trip south, thus reducing the time spent finding food. (Hawk Cliff sign)

Probable Broadwinged Hawk

A series of presentations were held throughout the weekend. The Canadian Raptor Conservancy has been in existence for over 20 years. This organization provides education about Canada's various species of birds of prey and introduces viewers to the wonders of nature. Great Horned Owls have 500 pounds per square inch of crushing power in their talons whereas an average adult human male has about 60 pounds per square inch in his hands!

https://canadianraptorconservancy.com/

Great Horned Owl: All the birds are trained for “free flight” allowing viewers to see the different flight styles. Only one bird at a time was "on stage". The birds flew back and forth between 2 perches while the handler provided educational commentary. 

The Harris Hawk was the only raptor not locally native. They are the most social of North American raptors, cooperating at nests and hunting together as a team! When hunting, a group of Harris Hawks surround their prey, flush it out for another to catch, and take turns chasing it.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Harriss_Hawk/overview

I watched about a dozen American Kestrel's fly overhead at Hawk Cliff, but none of them were as close as this captive individual!

Red-tailed Hawk

Despite its large size, we learned that the Golden Eagle is the 7th largest Eagle in the world! This individual is 40 years old.

Magnolia Warbler

The Hawk Cliff North Meadows consists of an East and West Field. These fields are important food and rest stations for migrating birds. In 2023, over 200 kg of seeds (55 species) were sown in the 34 acre East meadow. 50 species of plants were seeded in the 39 acres west field. Because of the windy day, few butterflies were seen, but we did see many Meadowhawk Dragonfllies and other larger dragonflies that were too distant for identification. (Hawk Cliff sign)

A 1.1 km walking trail provided views of a ravine in Hawk Cliff Woods. We heard that mosquitoes were active last week but we didn't have a problem with them on Sunday.

 September Birds!

Many birds are filling their bellies in Canatara Park as they take a break and rest up during migration. A Least Flycatcher sat on a Hawthorn Tree watching for flying insects.

An Eastern Phoebe quietly popped up onto a fence near me! This species winters farther north than most other flycatchers and is one of the earliest returning migrants in spring.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Phoebe/overview

Gray Catbird posing in the underbrush: Their name comes from a "mewing" call often made by the male while defending his territory. Gray Catbirds belong to the family Mimidae. They are able to mimic other birds, incorporating those sounds into their own variable song.

https://cwf-fcf.org/en/explore/resources/encyclopedias/fauna/birds/gray-catbird.html

A Lincoln's Sparrow was also hunting near the Hawthorn Tree. The species remains among the least-studied birds on the continent, partly because it runs mouse-like through dense vegetation rather than showing itself. It also gurgles a song more like a wren than what one would typically expect from a sparrow.

https://www.birdfact.com/birds/lincolns-sparrow

Magnolia Warbler

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can beat their wings about 53 times per second. They have extremely short legs, preventing them from walking or hopping. They are eastern North America's only breeding hummingbird. In terms of area, this species occupies the largest breeding range of any North American hummingbird!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird/overview

Common Yellowthroat

Yellow-rumped Warbler

White-throated Sparrow reaching for grass seeds.

Henderson C.A.

At Henderson Conservation Area, Canada Geese were lined up on a log with the start of fall colours in the background!

Two Great Blue Herons chased each other away from favourite hunting areas.

A probable Great Blue Heron feather on a trail.

Lesser Yellow-legs lifting off from the water

Fall colours starting at Henderson C.A.

Seeds from Common Milkweed were bursting from their pods.

A Peck's Skipper was dining on some New England Aster in the sunshine.

From my experience, 2026 has been a bumper year for Northern Walkingsticks. as we have seen many at Pinery Provincial Park. In the past 10 years I have seen only a few Walkingsticks at Henderson C.A. but on a recent walk we found 2 mated pairs!

 Globe Trotting Insects!

I unknowingly flushed this Wandering Glider. I waited patiently for it to return and It landed not far from where it was first spotted! The Wandering Glider is the only species of dragonfly that can be found on every continent other than Antarctica. They have very broad hindwings which make them strong flyers and allows them to migrate further than any other insect, including Monarchs! They have even been found perching on ships far at sea.

https://www.mndragonfly.info/html/skimmers/wanderingglider.html

I finally found a Painted Lady in September when it landed right at my feet with its wings spread! The Painted Lady butterfly is found on every continent except Antarctica, making it the world's most widespread butterfly species! The caterpillars feed on over 300 host plant species which helps them to survive in so many different environments. The population in North American tends to stay in North America. Another population moves between sub-Saharan Africa and the Arctic Circle via Western Europe, spanning roughly 9,000 miles. Unlike fall Monarchs which travel the entire distance to Mexico, each Painted Lady Butterfly only flies a portion of the trip. It takes several generations to complete each migration.

https://butterflyboogie.com/painted-lady-butterfly-facts-migration-habitat/

Some "fresh from the chrysalis" Eastern Commas have been basking in the sun recently. This species does not migrate, but will overwinter as an adult under pieces of bark or other places that protect them from the winter elements. They are one of the first species to emerge in the spring. I used to regularly see them in the month of March when I worked in the sugar bush. Maple Sap dripping from the trees is a good source of food when flowers aren't in bloom.

The silvery-white comma shape on the underwing gives the Eastern Comma their name.

I usually see Eastern Commas sunning on tree bark so it was nice to see one drinking nectar from some Asters.

A Fiery Skipper also enjoyed the asters and the sunshine!

I continue to see at least one Monarch daily as they migrate south. They have been enjoying the native Boneset blooms growing in our backyard.

Cabbage White Butterfly getting nectar from the Asters.

I was happy to see my second Common Buckeye of the year. On the cooler days, butterflies tend to stay down low and find places where they can soak up the sun.

It was a treat to find a Common Buckeye that wasn't resting on the ground!

I continue to find the "uncommon" Common Checkered Skippers!

Strong winds on September 18th kept this Spiderman kite airborne all day long! It may have been stuck in a tree as I didn't see a person at the "land end" of the string on either of my walks into Canatara that day.

 A September 17th visit to Pinery PP.

A Northern Parula was displaying his beautiful sunrise throat as he searched for the insects we were trying to photograph!

Male Eastern Towhee at puddle edge. A dripping tap in one of the campgrounds provided a bath opportunity for the birds!

Female Eastern Towhee

Video: Eastern Towhee having a bath.

Red-eyed Vireo caught a caterpillar. In the second photo it appeared satiated by its snack!

Black and White Warbler searching for insects under the bark. They have an extra long hind claw and heavier legs than other wood-warblers, which makes it easier for them to hold onto and move around on bark.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-and-white_Warbler/overview

Swamp Sparrow looking towards the swampy area.

We have been visiting the Pinery, taking advantage of the good weather to search for insects before they go into their winter hibernation. Some of our recent finds follow:

Hemlock Looper Moth

Skiff Moth caterpillar. This time it was on the underside of the leaf!

Variable Oakleaf Caterpillar

Boreal Pine Looper Moth: Many moths and other insects were found on the exterior walls of the comfort stations. Lights on the buildings attract these night time flyers, who then sleep through the day.

Fringed Dart: A new species for us that is only found in the Grand Bend area!

Winter Firefly

3 Turkey Vultures, just before they took advantage of the winds and soared over Lake Huron.

Turkey Vultures catching the wind!