Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 27, 2009
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 37 3579 5905
Osprey 4 35 37
Bald Eagle 0 19 66
Northern Harrier 7 80 111
Sharp-shinned Hawk 354 1356 1554
Cooper's Hawk 3 40 123
Northern Goshawk 0 4 6
Red-shouldered Hawk 4 31 730
Broad-winged Hawk 500 5329 5329
Red-tailed Hawk 10 745 2763
Rough-legged Hawk 5 33 84
Golden Eagle 0 8 12
American Kestrel 4 51 67
Merlin 1 5 6
Peregrine Falcon 1 2 7
Unknown Accipiter 0 2 6
Unknown Buteo 0 10 30
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 2 22 65
Total: 932 11351 16901
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Observation start time: 07:30:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 9.58 hours
Official Counter: John Stevens
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Colin Horstead, David Weare, Ed Couture,
Linda Cherriere, Mike Street, Peter Thoem, Sandra Horvath
Visitors:
In addition to the named assistants, others helping at times with the count
included: Eric Single, John Niewiadomski, Tim Foran, Toni Sinclair (from
Peterborough), Denys Gardiner and Bob Copeland. Visitors included Kevin
McLaughlin, Mike Kirchin and many others whose names I didn't get.
Weather:
Mostly sunny throughout the day with winds light and variable early
becoming southerly about 8:30 EST and strong southwesterly by 11:00 EST.
Raptor Observations:
Wonderful morning flight with birds at low altitude across the sky but
virtually shutting down after the winds became very strong. All RS were
immatures and most but not all RT were also. Many of the Sharpies crossed
below the observers on the tower.
Non-raptor Observations:
At least 40 non-raptor species noted including numerous flocks of 15-50
Pine Siskins, Pileated Woodpecker, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers,
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Warbling Vireo and a very early Indigo Bunting. The
two Brown Thrashers were still around but not singing much.
One of the highlights was the taking of a White-throated Sparrow by a
Sharpie just to the west of our sign board.
Predictions:
Possible light rain in am and cooler, probably no worse than this
afternoon.
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Report submitted by John Stevens ()
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. © 2009 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
_______________________________________________
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birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected]
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