Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 11, 2009
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 20 2981 5307
Osprey 1 6 8
Bald Eagle 0 7 54
Northern Harrier 3 23 54
Sharp-shinned Hawk 15 229 427
Cooper's Hawk 3 14 97
Northern Goshawk 0 0 2
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 20 719
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 20 388 2406
Rough-legged Hawk 1 10 61
Golden Eagle 0 8 12
American Kestrel 1 16 32
Merlin 0 0 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 5
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 4
Unknown Buteo 0 4 24
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 3 46
Total: 64 3709 9259
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Tom Thomas
Observers: Bouwe Bergsma, Dave Sked, Jaques Giraud, Jim Watt,
Keith Sealy, Mike williamson
Visitors:
Rudy Newfeld,Jaques Giraud,Joey Gardiner,Ian Smith,Keith Sealy,Mike
Williamson,Bouwe Bergsma,Deryl Nethecott,Jim Watt, David Sked.
Weather:
Almost total sunny skies all day, with stiff cold wind from the north
Raptor Observations:
The flight was very light today, with a total of 64 birds counted.
It was almost impossible to know what Turkey Vutures were
migrating, from the local gang of about a dozen or so that kept going from
east to west, and then vice versa.
We counted one Osprey, one light form Rough-legged Hawk, and three
Northern Harriers, 1 female, and two male.
Non-raptor Observations:
The only other birds of note were a group of three Sandhill Cranes that
came in high over the tower from the south.
Predictions:
Weather looks good, but it also was good today, so it depends if there are
birds in the pipeline so to speak.
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Report submitted by Tom Thomas ([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/
