Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 23, 2013
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 49 3363 6414
Osprey 3 38 39
Bald Eagle 1 19 51
Northern Harrier 2 61 68
Sharp-shinned Hawk 48 1000 1044
Cooper's Hawk 0 29 63
Northern Goshawk 0 3 5
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 213 437
Broad-winged Hawk 420 1007 1007
Red-tailed Hawk 24 903 1661
Rough-legged Hawk 0 22 35
Golden Eagle 0 5 8
American Kestrel 2 75 84
Merlin 1 9 10
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 3
Unknown Accipiter 0 2 3
Unknown Buteo 2 33 46
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 3 11 13
Total: 555 6794 10991
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Matt Mills
Observers: Barb Charlton, Colin Horstead, Dave Sked, Mike Street,
Peter Booker, Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Len Manning, George Holland, Claude King, Craig Potter, and a small crowd
of visitors throughout the day.
Weather:
The day began with light south winds and clear blue skies. By noon a hazy
layer of cloud had moved in along with a brisk (and cold) NE wind.
Raptor Observations:
4 Black Vultures passed the count at 11:20 am (10:20 EST) rather high in a
group of about 6 Broad-winged Hawks and 9 Turkey Vultures. Presumably the
same 4 were seen headed east about 2:45 pm (1:45 EST).
The north winds pushed the Broad-wing flight south and many small kettles
were beyond the willow.
Non-raptor Observations:
Lots of passerine activity under the feeders with many Juncos and
White-throated Sparrows. Feeder highlights were a male Eastern Towhee, a
hunting Sharp-shinned Hawk, and 4 (3m. 1f.) Purple Finch.
A few other highlights: 8 Common Loon, 2 Great Blue Heron, 2 Purple
Martin, 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 2 Pine Siskin.
Predictions:
Rain is forecast for Wednesday but south winds and mild temperatures are
predicted beyond that. Could be good!
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Report submitted by Matt Mills ()
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. © 2013 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/
