The raptor migration at Beamer Point was rather slow yesterday with only about 200 migrating raptors.
Despite the lack of numbers, a good number of species were seen including northern goshawk (juvenile), red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk (juvenile), American kestrel, osprey, Cooper's Hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, northern harrier and turkey vulture. Good pictures were taken of juvenile goshawk and red-shouldered hawk. It is easy to see how a juvenile red-shouldered hawk can be confused with a red-tailed hawk. The bird of the day was easily a wild turkey that flew the length of the parking lot and into the forest to the north. The bird provided a much needed break from high tiny specs against a blue sky. I also photographed a very strange looking turkey vulture, it's the first picture in the gallery. Photographs of the migrating raptors can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/6fka85 or at http://tinyurl.com/6zwz7f as a blog entry. Good birding Jacques Giraud Site Description: Beamer Conservation Area is located on top of the Niagara Escarpment above the town of Grimsby, Ontario. The site is 1km south of the south shore of Lake Ontario, 20km east of Hamilton, 40km west of Niagara Falls. Directions to site: To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 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. _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
