Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 13, 2009
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 42 3023 5349
Osprey 2 8 10
Bald Eagle 0 7 54
Northern Harrier 7 30 61
Sharp-shinned Hawk 36 265 463
Cooper's Hawk 2 16 99
Northern Goshawk 0 0 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 21 720
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 78 466 2484
Rough-legged Hawk 1 11 62
Golden Eagle 0 8 12
American Kestrel 3 19 35
Merlin 0 0 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 5
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 4
Unknown Buteo 1 5 25
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 4 7 50
Total: 177 3886 9436
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Observation start time: 07:45:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 8.42 hours
Official Counter: John Stevens
Observers: Colin Horstead, David Weare, Ed Couture, Phil Waggett,
Tim Foran
Visitors:
In addition to the named assistants, Brian Hawthorn, Eric Holden and Nina
Szpakowski also helped. John Niewiadomski and Rick Quirk were among
numerous visitors, especially youngsters, on this Easter Monday with no
school.
Weather:
Mostly clear skies to begin with gradually increasing high cirrus clouds
and cool temperatures: feeling much cooler as a result of a fairly steady
east to northeast wind.
Raptor Observations:
Local Cooper's Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures seen frequently
during the day. Flight was primarily over the tower or to the north with
the RTs coming along the ridge like it was a highway.
Non-raptor Observations:
A half a dozen loons, three cormorants, two Wood Ducks and two Great Blue
Herons flying over with numerous woodpeckers calling throughout the day.
Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, Fox Sparrows, Song Sparrows and Juncos
around the feeder. Several Tree Swallows overhead.
Predictions:
Probably much like today
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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. © 2009 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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