Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 28, 2010
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 1 1
Turkey Vulture 90 879 879
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 0 34 34
Northern Harrier 0 20 20
Sharp-shinned Hawk 9 104 104
Cooper's Hawk 1 64 64
Northern Goshawk 1 7 7
Red-shouldered Hawk 7 328 329
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 5 964 966
Rough-legged Hawk 1 15 15
Golden Eagle 0 5 5
American Kestrel 0 4 4
Merlin 1 6 6
Peregrine Falcon 0 5 5
Unknown Accipiter 0 2 2
Unknown Buteo 1 5 5
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 2 2
Total: 116 2445 2448
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:00:00
Total observation time: 7 hours
Official Counter: Sandra Horvath
Observers: Angie Williams, Barry Cherriere, Bruce Mackenzie, Cody Law,
Frank Horvath, Ken Williams
Visitors:
Dennis Russell, Sue and Dennis Grayla and Kathy Diveto from New York State,
Eric and Molly, Mary Rae and Bridget Hribljan from Burlington, Deb Fester
and Chuck Clark, Chris Bailey and Steve Germana from Hamilton, Owen, Lisa
and Eva Novoselac and Matthew Holman.
Weather:
The day was cloudy with strong gusty winds changing to drizzle and rain in
the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
A Northern Goshawk flew low over the tower at 8:29 and a Rough-legged Hawk
crossed around 2:15 pm EST.
Non-raptor Observations:
Birds of not: 4 Great-blue Herons, Carolina Wren was heard calling towards
the quarry, Northern Flicker, a pair of Wood Ducks flew around the tower
repeatedly all day, Kingfishers, Golden-crowned Kinglets and a Brown
Creeper. The Fox Sparrow is still being seen around the feeders.
Predictions:
Early morning showers are forecast, changing to cloudy skies with a chance
of sunny breaks and a high of 9.
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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 tower�s 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 day�s 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.
Photos courtesy of Mike Street and Barry Cherriere
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. © 2010 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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