Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 16, 2016
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 49 1253 4379
Osprey 2 24 24
Bald Eagle 0 4 27
Northern Harrier 6 30 61
Sharp-shinned Hawk 123 249 399
Cooper's Hawk 6 23 72
Northern Goshawk 0 2 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 3 266
Broad-winged Hawk 1 1 1
Red-tailed Hawk 35 240 1100
Rough-legged Hawk 1 4 24
Golden Eagle 0 0 0
American Kestrel 2 18 37
Merlin 0 5 11
Peregrine Falcon 1 2 3
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 4
Unknown Buteo 0 1 6
Unknown Falcon 0 0 2
Unknown Eagle 0 1 1
Unknown Raptor 0 1 8
Total: 226 1862 6427
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Observation start time: 07:30:00
Observation end time: 15:30:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Phil Waggett
Observers: Alan Meijer, Eric Geenen, Gord Kozak, John Hogeveen,
Matt Mills
Visitors:
Numerous people visited today. Our guest speaker--Dr. Cheryl Dykstra and
her colleagues Jeff and Anne from Cincinnati, Ohio; Alan Meijer from
Pantego, North Carolina (formerly of Grimsby); Matt Mills, Gord Kozak,
John Hogeveen, and our student, Eric Geenen--all helped with the count.
Thank-you. Also in attendance were Tim Foran, Bouwe Bergsma and Barry
Cherriere.
Weather:
Bright blue sky, sunny, with light to moderate winds out of the north-east.
Raptor Observations:
A relatively modest flight dominated by sharp-shinned hawks. The highlight
was the first broad-wing of the season. Local TV's, coops and red-tails
were active throughout the count period.
Non-raptor Observations:
Small groups of double-crested cormorants were flying north throughout the
day. Other migrants included Bonaparte's gulls, great blue heron, common
loon, numerous tree and northern rough-winged swallows, a single purple
martin and barn swallow. Kinglets were in the park as were pine warblers,
eastern phoebe, several flickers, a fox sparrow, and the pair of wood
ducks. A pileated woodpecker also put in an appearance. A few wild
turkeys were also observed--in flight.
Predictions:
Weather conditions will be little changed with forecast higher
temperatures. I suspect a continuation of today's flight, unless the BW's
decide to crank up the numbers.
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Report submitted by Phil Waggett ()
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. © 2016 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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