Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 05, 2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 1
Turkey Vulture 130 3810 5793
Osprey 3 12 12
Bald Eagle 0 10 44
Northern Harrier 1 33 57
Sharp-shinned Hawk 33 1068 1246
Cooper's Hawk 5 13 84
Northern Goshawk 0 0 7
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 97 501
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 14 559 1733
Rough-legged Hawk 0 7 24
Golden Eagle 0 1 6
American Kestrel 3 21 26
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 1 1 4
Total: 190 5635 9563
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 07:15:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 9.67 hours
Official Counter: John Stevens
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Bouwe Bergsma, Cody Law, Dave Sked,
Eric Single, Frank Horvath, Phil Waggett, Sandra Horvath
Visitors:
Numerous visitors today as it was a school holiday. These included Norm
Schipper, Ivor Siemens, Sam Finkelstein, Ethan and Liz Vanderwood, Michael
Sandell, Dave Sked, Eric Single and many others whose names I didn't
record.
Weather:
A brief early morning shower gave way to heavily overcast skies until
shortly before 9 am EST when it quickly cleared and remained primarily
sunny the remainder of the day. Winds were moderate to strong from SW or
W. Temperature rose steadily until about 4 pm EST, reaching 24 C.
Raptor Observations:
Considerable movement of the local TV population now numbering about 20,
the local pair of Cooper's Hawks and local RTs. The migrants were
primarily TVs with some Sharpies but few Buteos.
Non-raptor Observations:
15 DC Cormorants flying over plus a pair of Wood Ducks and YB Sapsuckers
and Flickers in good number.
Predictions:
They're calling for some light rain or showers but the winds to have an
easterly component and be cooler. Probably not great but maybe some
action.
========================================================================
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 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
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
