Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 20, 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 4321 7324 Osprey 2 29 29 Bald Eagle 0 21 70 Northern Harrier 6 43 52 Sharp-shinned Hawk 48 936 972 Cooper's Hawk 0 51 108 Northern Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 111 697 Broad-winged Hawk 9 578 578 Red-tailed Hawk 1 761 1673 Rough-legged Hawk 0 26 41 Golden Eagle 0 5 13 American Kestrel 1 23 25 Merlin 0 5 8 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 5 5 Unknown Buteo 0 30 34 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 1 2 Unknown Raptor 0 2 4 Total: 67 6951 11638 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:45:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 8.33 hours Official Counter: John Stevens Observers: Gord Kozak, Peter Thoem Visitors: Gord Kozak stopped for a while and Peter Thoem for a brief visit. Weather: Overnight rain ended just at 9 EST but subsequent heavy rain between 12:30 and 1:10, and between 2:35 and 3:05 with thunder. Moderate to strong winds from the south swinging to the southwest in the late afternoon. Several layers of fast-moving cloud. Temperature reached the upper teens but a jacket helped on the tower. Raptor Observations: Unusual day with many birds flying east despite the winds from the south. One OS, two NH and 11 SS headed east at various times, mainly in the morning. No migration of TVs! Non-raptor Observations: Five White-tailed Deer crossed the field in the late afternoon. Predictions: Tomorrow looks to be better than Wed but windy and likely not great. ======================================================================== 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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