Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 23, 2009
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 140 801 801
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 0 43 43
Northern Harrier 0 18 18
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 80 80
Cooper's Hawk 4 48 48
Northern Goshawk 0 2 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 29 504 504
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 54 1421 1421
Rough-legged Hawk 3 37 37
Golden Eagle 1 4 4
American Kestrel 1 3 3
Merlin 0 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1
Unknown Buteo 4 13 13
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 5 33 33
Total: 243 3010 3010
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Observation start time: 07:45:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 9.25 hours
Official Counter: George Meyers, John Stevens
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Brandon Holden, David Weare,
Denys Gardiner, Eric Holden, John Stevens
Visitors:
Audrey Gamble and John Merriman from Hamilton, Dave Sked and Fran from St.
Catharines, Bob Copeland from Brantford, Rick Quirk from Grimsby, Donnie
from Toronto
Weather:
Clear skies all day with a light to moderate northeast wind and
temperatures rising from -4C to +2C during the day.
Raptor Observations:
Except for about a dozen migrants, only local TVs, RT and CH seen before 12
standard time. Thereafter a steady flight primarily north of the tower,
many of which were difficult to see against the solid blue background.
Non-raptor Observations:
About a hundred robins were foraging in the field to the south but few
other migrants of note. One Common Loon and one Great Blue Heron were
seen.
Predictions:
warmer with more easterly winds so could be good.
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Report submitted by John Stevens ()
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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