I decided to start re-reading archived issues of the Ontario Field Onithologists Newsletter and the first issue I picked up, dated October of 1999 has an in-depth article on hawk migration. Perfect supplement for my last post. The article is written by Ron Pittaway and contains much important information.
Here's a list summarizing the migration periods of each species as well as peak numbers (late dates in brackets following migration periods) taken from the article:
Turkey Vulture
Migration periods: mid-September to mid-November (rare winter)
Peak numbers: early to mid-October
Osprey
Migration: mid-August to late October (early December)
Peak: early to mid-September
Bald Eagle
Migration: September to December (rare winter)
Peak: September (numbers always low)
Northern Harrier
Migration: late August to late November (winters)
Peak: September
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Migration: late August to late November (winters)
Peak: September
Cooper's Hawk
Migration: mid-September to early November (rare winter)
Peak: early to mid-October
Northern Goshawk
Migration: early October to late November (winters)
Peak: late October to early November
Red-shouldered Hawk
Migration: early October to mid-November (rare winter)
Peak: mid to late October
Broad-winged Hawk
Migration: late August to early October (early November)
Peak: mid-September
Swainson's Hawk
Migration: early September to late October
Peak: mid-September to mid October (very rare migrant)
Red-tailed Hawk
Migration: mid-September to early December (winters)
Peak: mid-October to early November
Rough-legged Hawk
Migration: early October to early December (winters)
Peak: late October to early November
Golden Eagle
Migration: late September to December (rare winter)
Peak: late October to early November
American Kestrel
Migration: late August to mid-November (winters)
Peak: September
Merlin
Migration: late August to early November (rare winter)
Peak: September
Peregrine Falcon
Migration: early September to late October (rare winter)
Peak: late September to early October
Here's what he has to say about High Park:
"This fabulous site in Toronto's famed High Park is in the city's west end between the Gardiner Expressway and Bloor Street. Go to parking lot of Grenadier Restaurant from Bloor Street via West Road or take the east entrance off Parkside. Note: On Sundays and holidays from 1 May to 1 October, vehicle entrance to High Park is from Bloor only. Hawks are viewed from the small knoll known as Hawk Hill just to the north of the restaurant. High Park offers excellent birding throughout the year."
I have been there a few times now and I agree with the last statement. I'm looking forward to attending one of their hawk counts soon.
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