Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 07, 2012
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 1 3
Turkey Vulture 176 1862 5262
Osprey 3 17 21
Bald Eagle 0 6 41
Northern Harrier 1 12 34
Sharp-shinned Hawk 19 83 416
Cooper's Hawk 1 19 80
Northern Goshawk 0 0 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 4 571
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 42 251 1603
Rough-legged Hawk 2 4 28
Golden Eagle 0 3 7
American Kestrel 2 7 23
Merlin 1 3 11
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 3
Unknown Accipiter 0 7 9
Unknown Buteo 0 3 16
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 2 9
Total: 248 2285 8139
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Phil Waggett
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Cody Law, Don Pfeffer, Joe Gardner,
Kayo Roy, Marty Shimano, Mike Williamson, Owen Novoselec
Visitors:
Several visitors today. Don Pfeffer, Mike Williamson, Martin Bence, Joe
Gardiner, Kayo Roy, Owen Novoselec, Cody Law, Barry Cherriere, Marty
Shimano, Kevin McLaughlin, Brandon & Eric Holden. My apologies to anyone I
forgot; lots of people were out enjoying the weather.
Weather:
A clear day with temperatures to 12 C. Light NE winds switching to NW
during the afternoon.
Raptor Observations:
A light flight dominated by the turkey vultures. Highlights of the day
included 3 ospreys and 2 rough-legged hawks (one light, one dark). The
local vultures, red-tails, and coops were active throughout the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
Very little migratory activity--a single common loon, a few northern
flickers, fox sparrows, tree swallows, and great blue herons. The local
red-bellied woodpecker was active.
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Report submitted by Phil Waggett ()
Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at:
http://www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org/
Site Description:
Hawk migration monitoring at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in
Grimsby, Ontario is conducted by the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH). All
counting is 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 cold days, particularly in 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 publicly 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 seven day's worth of observation data 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. © 2012 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
