MANITOBA FALL HAWK WATCH – 11 September 2021.
|
Species/Group |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
Totals |
|
Turkey Vulture |
12 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
|
15 |
6 |
85 |
10 |
139 |
|
Osprey |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Northern Harrier |
5 |
10 |
3 |
5 |
|
|
6 |
2 |
|
31 |
|
Sharp-shinned Hawk |
1 |
|
2 |
5 |
3 |
|
1 |
|
2 |
14 |
|
Cooper’s Hawk |
2 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
2 |
2 |
3 |
11 |
|
Bald Eagle |
9 |
11 |
6 |
11 |
1 |
9 |
5 |
22 |
11 |
85 |
|
Broad-winged Hawk |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
3 |
21 |
30 |
|
Swainson’s Hawk |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
4 |
|
Red-tailed Hawk |
6 |
12 |
33 |
43 |
7 |
4 |
26 |
95 |
5 |
231 |
|
American Kestrel |
4 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
14 |
24 |
1 |
52 |
|
Merlin |
5 |
|
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
|
18 |
|
Peregrine Falcon |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
Falcon sp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
Group 1. Andy Courcelles and Gene Walz covered Oak Hammock Marsh en route to Hecla. They recorded 74 species, including both Tundra and Trumpeter Swans and also spotted an American Bittern, a Pileated Woodpecker and a Peregrine Falcon.
Group 2. Ward Christianson and Marlene Waldron visited the Shoal Lakes and ended up at Delta. They had 60 species, including one Lesser Black-backed Gull at the PR. 227 garbage dump. Their total of 10 Northern Harriers was the highest.
Group 3. Robert Parsons and Jo Swartz wandered southwest of the city, visiting Carman, the Pembina Valley and the Kaleida Marshes. They were the only party to report Eared Grebe, Eurasian Collared-Dove and Red-headed Woodpecker. Their highlight was seen two Say’s Phoebes near Mowbray.
Group 4. Garry Budyk and John Weier travelled to Delta and Lynch Point. As usual, their species list was the largest, at 90, which included 10 species of raptor, 11 species of shorebird and two Great Egrets. They also saw a Peregrine.
Group 5. Cal Cuthbert spent the morning watching near his Portage Creek property. His 38 species included a Ross’s Goose, a Ruffed Grouse, a Blue-headed Vireo and a Wilson’s Warbler. His wife Elaine treated him to a Blue Bomber game later in the day!
Group 6. Cathy Swiderek and James Whitelaw visited Birds Hill Park and the made their way to the beaches at the southeast end of Lake Winnipeg. Their 45 species included both Ruddy Turnstone and Sanderling and they were the only ones to record Ospreys.
Group 7. Katharine Schulz convinced husband John to accompany her to Portage la Prairie and regions southwest of there. Their total of 61 species was ten less than last year. Highlights were Wild Turkey, Great Egret and six Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.
Group 8. Peter Taylor and Rudolf Koes drove from Beausejour via Brightstone, Lac du Bonnet and Pine Falls to Green Oak and back to the starting point. This route again delivered the largest number of raptors, including a somewhat out-of-range Swainson’s Hawk along the Allegra Road. 70 species in total.
Group 9. The Westman Naturalists (Buzz Crowston, Gillian Richards, Gwyn Richards, Heidi Hislop, Ray Pettinger, Chris Chotka, Tharina Uys, Bill Stadnyk, Carson Rogers) spent the day watching along the Assiniboine River north of Rivers. They reported the best total of Broad-winged Hawks and witnessed a sizeable movement of Blue Jays.
Exactly 150 species were found in total. Raptor numbers were fair at best. Most parties commented on the low numbers and variety of passerines. Only two vireos were seen, thrushes were scarce, as were sparrows and warblers. It is possible that the hot, dry summer hampered breeding success.
Thank you all for participating!
Rudolf Koes.