Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 18, 2009
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 10 399 399
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 0 37 37
Northern Harrier 0 17 17
Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 49 49
Cooper's Hawk 3 28 28
Northern Goshawk 0 2 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 21 210 210
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 20 974 974
Rough-legged Hawk 0 24 24
Golden Eagle 0 2 2
American Kestrel 0 2 2
Merlin 0 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1
Unknown Buteo 4 4 4
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 28 28
Total: 62 1779 1779
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Sandra Horvath
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Frank Horvath, Richard Tofflemire,
Ryan Tofflemire
Visitors:
Visitors included a family of 4 from Guelph, a group of hikers and quite a
few others out walking and enjoying March Break.
Weather:
The morning started off with lots of thunder and dark clouds to the south
and west but all passed by to the north. Most of the day held dead air
with light gusts of wind that brought little in the way of raptors.
Raptor Observations:
For the most part the flight was far off to the south and high. Assisting
with the count were Richard Tofflemire and his son Ryan from Guelph, Barry
Cherriere and Frank Horvath.
Non-raptor Observations:
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Report submitted by Sandra Horvath ()
Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at:
http://www.hwcn.org/link/niaghawk/
Site Description:
The hawk migration at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area is conducted by
the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH). The counting is all done by
volunteers. Not all members are counters nor does a counter have to be a
member. Typically one person is the designated counter for each day but
other observers present assist with the spotting and identification.
Counting is done from a steel observation tower with a wooden floor. For
wind protection on the cold days of March, a black plastic wind guard is
installed around the towers platform. This platform easily accommodates
ten people but on most busy days, no more than five or six observers would
be on it.
The site lies within a publically accessible property owned by the Niagara
Peninsula Conservation Authority. There is no charge for admittance. The
tower stands in the centre of a mowed area with a gravel ring road near the
outer edge. This provides lots of room to park vehicles (along the road)
and set up lawn chairs, telescopes and cameras. Toilet facilities are
present. During the counting season, the NPH erect a counting board to
display the days observations for the public. The box enclosing the sign
contains brochures and silhouette sheets for the public as well as bulletin
boards with news and historical sighting records.
Directions to site:
To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 72, follow Christie St./Mountain
St. to the top of the escarpment, turn right on Ridge Road West, and go
1.6km to Quarry Rd. Turn right on Quarry Rd. and drive 100m to the
conservation area. Parking is normally available inside the park. If
parking at the entrance or on the roads, do NOT leave valuables in your
car.
Please note: Data in this report is not official until reviewed and finalized
after the end of the season. © 2008 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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