Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 15, 2009
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 68 188 188
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 2 29 29
Northern Harrier 2 16 16
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 25 25
Cooper's Hawk 1 15 15
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 26 93 93
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 63 720 720
Rough-legged Hawk 2 19 19
Golden Eagle 0 2 2
American Kestrel 0 0 0
Merlin 0 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 24 28 28
Total: 194 1139 1139
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Observation start time: 07:45:00
Observation end time: 16:15:00
Total observation time: 8.5 hours
Official Counter: Mike Street
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Colin Horstead, Dave Don, Phil Waggett,
Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Thanks to counter helpers: Brian Ahara, Manley Baarda, Gerry Chapple, Bary
Cherriere, Dave Don, Linda Edge, Jacques Giraud, Elizabeth Gow, Colin
Horstead, Jean Johnson, Derek Lyon, Jennifer Lyon, Mike Meyers, Anthony
Miller, Kayo Roy, Marty Shimano, Chris Street and Phil Waggett
Weather:
Clear skies all day, temperatures rose from -1 to +12°C, winds light from
the east
Raptor Observations:
Most birds were farther south than normal for the period. Counters were not
helped by the haze. Highlights: Two adult Bald Eagles, one very late; a
male-female pair of Harriers traveling together; two Rough-legs, one a
particularly nice dark morph; the local Coopers Hawks Gary and Alice
made strong defensive moves on a Red-shoulder and a Red-tail.
Non-raptor Observations:
Flock of 60 Tundra Swans at 7:45EST; Common Mergansers and Killdeer
overhead
Predictions:
After three days of good flights and with little weather south of us to
bring birds north, Monday may be quiet but...
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Report submitted by Mike Street ([email protected])
Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at:
http://www.hwcn.org/link/niaghawk/
Site Description:
The hawk migration at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area is conducted by
the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH). The counting is all 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 the cold days of March, a black plastic wind guard is
installed around the towers 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 publically 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 the days observations 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 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. © 2008 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
