Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 29, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 3 5 Turkey Vulture 15 2515 5915 Osprey 0 52 56 Bald Eagle 0 18 53 Northern Harrier 0 53 75 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 1022 1355 Cooper's Hawk 1 71 132 Northern Goshawk 0 2 4 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 24 591 Broad-winged Hawk 13 2754 2754 Red-tailed Hawk 17 616 1968 Rough-legged Hawk 0 10 34 Golden Eagle 0 7 11 American Kestrel 0 37 53 Merlin 0 7 15 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 4 Unknown Accipiter 0 9 11 Unknown Buteo 0 12 25 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 5 12 Total: 52 7220 13074 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Brian Mishell Observers: Jean Iron Visitors: Many visitors from all over Southern Ontario, a lot of kids, about 70 people in all. About 40 were kids. It was a nice day for being outdoors Weather: 0% cloud cover until 2 p.m. then only gradual increase to 25% by 5 p.m. So Blue skies to the EAST all day made viewing difficult. The morning birds were very high, then in p.m. they were moderately high.Light winds from the south initially then after 10 a.m. from the north. Raptor Observations: After yesterday's count this was an anti-climax, the pipeline did not exist. Non-raptor Observations: Plenty of non-raptor sightings all day the most interesting were Wild Turkeys south by the farm, 2 common loons, several chimney swifts and purple martins. Predictions: No evidence of any pipeline and with rain expected tomorrow it should be slow. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian Mishell () 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/
