Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: May 02, 2016 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 9 9 4711 Osprey 0 0 40 Bald Eagle 0 0 30 Northern Harrier 0 0 73 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 3 824 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 110 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 273 Broad-winged Hawk 17 17 1668 Red-tailed Hawk 2 2 1230 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 25 Golden Eagle 0 0 1 American Kestrel 0 0 50 Merlin 1 1 21 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 8 Unknown Buteo 0 0 8 Unknown Falcon 0 0 2 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 17 Total: 32 32 9097 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 16:45:00 Total observation time: 8.25 hours Official Counter: John Stevens Observers: Fiona Byrne Visitors: A few in the late afternoon when the CA got busy. Weather: Rain until after 9 EST, then drizzle for about an hour, overcast until about 12:30 EST, thereafter a mix of sun and cloud. Cold and damp until the sun appeared with winds from the north to northeast but light to moderate. Raptor Observations: Local TVs were up and about all day, even in the drizzle. Local Cooper's Hawk seen briefly in a dive and local RTs seen, particularly an immature. The Merlin appeared to be migrating, high along the edge of the escarpment. Non-raptor Observations: Surprisingly little for the date. Almost nothing but Blue Jays and bushy-tailed rats at the feeders. Barn Swallows, Purple Martins, a Great Blue Heron and Ruby-crowned Kinglets but no warblers were seen or heard. Predictions: Forecast is partly sunny and warmer with light winds. This could help improve the flow but birds may be high. ======================================================================== 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. © 2016 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 including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
