Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 18, 2012
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 2 4
Turkey Vulture 10 2402 5802
Osprey 2 41 45
Bald Eagle 1 13 48
Northern Harrier 3 44 66
Sharp-shinned Hawk 160 759 1092
Cooper's Hawk 12 58 119
Northern Goshawk 0 1 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 6 24 591
Broad-winged Hawk 729 1080 1080
Red-tailed Hawk 72 514 1866
Rough-legged Hawk 0 10 34
Golden Eagle 0 7 11
American Kestrel 1 25 41
Merlin 0 6 14
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 4
Unknown Accipiter 0 8 10
Unknown Buteo 0 7 20
Unknown Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 5 12
Total: 996 5009 10863
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Sandra Horvath
Observers: Colin Horstead, Frank Horvath, George Holland, Tom Thomas,
Walter Fisher
Visitors:
A good number of visitors came to the park today, many of whom assisted
with the difficult task of spotting. If I missed your name I apologize...
Walter Fisher, Fred Shantz, Floyd Dieter, Jack and Linda Homer, John
Stevens, Gord Kozek, Danusea, Zakhar and Lukian Husak, Tom Ford, Marc
Lichtenberg, Joe Gardner, George Holland, Jean Scriven, Graham Jones, Phil
Waggett, Skip Gillham, Dave Sked, Brian Wylie, Dawn and Wilf Vien, Susan
Bassett and Diane Purser.
Weather:
It was an unexpectedly cold and windy day up in the tower with mostly clear
blue skies. The 10K. winds predicted were in reality 17K with 20+ gusts
from the NE.
Raptor Observations:
The flight was early and extremely high. Many thanks to the faithful who
stayed the day to scan those blue skies. One adult Bald Eagle gave a good
view at 9:30 AM. Three Northern Harriers and one Osprey were also a
highlight and counted during the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
Several new species made an appearance at Beamer today. The Brown Thrasher
sang in a tree near the road to the south of the tower and in the same area
a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was spotted. Overhead a flock of 7 Bobolinks, 12+
Common Loons, Barn Swallows and 2 Chimney Swifts were spotted, as well as 2
Sandhill Cranes. A Hermit Thrush was observed near the sign on the main
trail.
I plead eye strain and distraction for the miscount earlier resulting in
an error on the board. We did not get the 1000+ total count, though very
close.
Predictions:
Partly cloudy skies with lots of warm weather and sunshine should make
tomorrow much more pleasant. Strong south-east winds will either make the
viewing easier from the tower or push the flight over towards the lake.
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Report submitted by Sandra Horvath ()
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/
