Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 04, 2010
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 1
Turkey Vulture 901 3680 5663
Osprey 2 9 9
Bald Eagle 5 10 44
Northern Harrier 6 32 56
Sharp-shinned Hawk 163 1035 1213
Cooper's Hawk 1 8 79
Northern Goshawk 0 0 7
Red-shouldered Hawk 14 97 501
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 167 545 1719
Rough-legged Hawk 0 7 24
Golden Eagle 1 1 6
American Kestrel 2 18 23
Merlin 0 3 10
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 7
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 3
Unknown Buteo 0 0 5
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 3
Total: 1262 5445 9373
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Observation start time: 07:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Phil Waggett
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Cody Law, Colin Horstead, Derek Lyon,
Geoff Carpentier, Jennifer Lyon, Mike Walker, Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Helping today with the count were Colin Horstead, Geoff Carpentier, Tom
Thomas, Cody Law, Barry & Linda Cherriere, Derek and Jennifer Lyon, Roland
Parks, and Mike Walker.
Weather:
Mostly sunny but with increasing high clouds after noon.
Temperature rose to 16 C with moderate WSW winds during most of the day.
Raptor Observations:
The wind pushed the raptor flight to north of the escarpment; I suspect
that we missed many birds--particularly TV'S that were migrating. Still an
excellent spring migration highlighted by 5 bald eagles and two ospreys.
Not much local activity again during a flight dominated by TV's and
red-tails. Sharp-shins were again migrating in good numbers but the flight
was so high at times that many were likely missed.
Non-raptor Observations:
Much less evidence of passerine activity today although flickers and tree
swallows were seen in good numbers. Notable sightings included a flock of
22 boneparte's gulls, the local wood duck, fox sparrow, and great blue
herons.
Predictions:
Possibly unsettled tomorrow with rain moving in for Tuesday. However,
there still appeared to be many vultures in the pipeline, so hopefully the
terrific flight of the past 5 days will continue.
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Report submitted by Phil Waggett ()
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.
Directions to site:
To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 71/72, 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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birding organization.
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For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
