Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 02, 2015
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 380 1079 4082
Osprey 2 3 3
Bald Eagle 1 6 55
Northern Harrier 6 9 18
Sharp-shinned Hawk 44 72 108
Cooper's Hawk 4 9 66
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 64 650
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 10 162 1074
Rough-legged Hawk 2 38 53
Golden Eagle 0 0 8
American Kestrel 4 4 6
Merlin 3 3 6
Peregrine Falcon 1 1 1
Unknown Accipiter 2 2 2
Unknown Buteo 0 0 4
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 1
Unknown Raptor 0 0 2
Total: 460 1452 6139
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 15:45:00
Total observation time: 7.75 hours
Official Counter: Sandy Darling
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Craig Corcoran, Darren Smillie,
David Weare, Tim King, Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Many came after two days with high counts and warm weather, so I did not
get all names. Many visitors helped to spot birds - so thank-you! Those
recorded were Darren Smillie, Craig Corcoran, Dave Weare, Dustin Delange,
Brie Smalldon, David Pryor, Garth Riley, Tom Thomas, Barry Cherriere, Terry
Osbourne, Mike Street, Cindy Cartwright, Craig Otter, Norm & Gwen
Lewington, Tim King, Barbara Mansell from New York City ("Fab place")
Weather:
Temperature rose into double figures, but there was a strong wind from the
south that became stronger in the afternoon. Rain occurred between 1:00
and 2:00 EST, but vultures continued to fly.
Raptor Observations:
12 species, including Osprey (2), Northern Harrier (6), Rough-legged Hawk
(2), all three falcons and, not surprisingly, one migrating last-year's
Bald Eagle and one year-four bird going east. The latter may be a bird
seen on an earlier count day, so it looks as though we now have to look out
for resident BEs.
Non-raptor Observations:
25 non-raptor species. Notables in terms of time of year: first of season
Tree Swallow between 8:00 and 8:30 and more during day; 7 Great Blue Herons
(including a group of 3 at 8:35 EST); many (or one hyperactive) Killdeer;
Belted Kingfisher; Rusty Blackbird; Sandhill Crane; Northern Flicker.
Predictions:
Lots of people for Open House
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Report submitted by Sandy Darling ()
Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area 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. © 2015 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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