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.