Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 06, 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 585 2597 5600 Osprey 3 9 9 Bald Eagle 0 11 60 Northern Harrier 5 18 27 Sharp-shinned Hawk 87 229 265 Cooper's Hawk 2 17 74 Northern Goshawk 1 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 14 97 683 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 91 390 1302 Rough-legged Hawk 4 12 27 Golden Eagle 0 2 10 American Kestrel 0 7 9 Merlin 1 4 7 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 3 5 5 Unknown Buteo 0 0 4 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 2 Total: 796 3400 8087 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours Official Counter: John Stevens Observers: Alan Meijer, Darren Smillie, Dave Sked, Gray Carlin Visitors: Alan Meijer from North Carolina, Gray Carlin from Toronto, Mark McGuire (not that one), Keith Park, Dave Sherman, Don Arthurs and numerous others on this public holiday with the schools closed. Thanks to all who helped on a difficult day for spotting, particularly to Alan Meijer and Gray Carlin (who were there before me) and Dave Sked who stayed the longest. Weather: Cold northeasterly wind off the lake brought very low clouds in the morning, which dissipated in the afternoon. Some sunny breaks from the higher cloud until about 1:30 EST when the cloud thickened and intermittent light rain began around 2:15 EST, continuing to the end of the count. Temperature in low single digits. Raptor Observations: Low cloud meant birds in the morning were not seen until overhead and would often go in and out of view. Local CH seen a few times and some TVs went back and forth. First NG in more than a year was fairly high and never flapped while in view. Non-raptor Observations: A group of five Sandhill Cranes passed well south in the am. Other migrants noted included a pair of Wood Duck, Eastern Phoebe, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and several Great Blue Herons. Predictions: Similar conditions as today so dress warmly and be prepared for quick passages on a NE wind. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Stevens () 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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