Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 17, 2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 36 42 42
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 2 16 16
Northern Harrier 4 6 6
Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 11 11
Cooper's Hawk 4 17 17
Northern Goshawk 0 3 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 10 10 11
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 34 189 191
Rough-legged Hawk 0 3 3
Golden Eagle 3 3 3
American Kestrel 0 3 3
Merlin 0 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1
Unknown Buteo 0 1 1
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 2 2
Total: 96 308 311
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Sandra Horvath
Observers: Charles Liddle, Colin Horstead, Frank Horvath, Keith Sealy,
Mike Kirchin, Norman Schipper, Peter Booker, Phil Waggett,
Tim King, Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Charles Liddle, Floyd Smith, Robert Stamp, Dave Sked, Kevin McLaughlin, Jon
Niewiadonski and nephew Nicky, Mike Kirchin, Mike Street, and many others.
Other observers - Clive Hodder, Kieth Sealy, Peter Booker, Norman
Schipper, Barry Cherrier and Brandon Holden.
Weather:
Blue Sky day with warm temperatures and light winds.
Raptor Observations:
Due to the cloudless sky and light winds the raptors were generally flying
very high and difficult to spot.
Non-raptor Observations:
Mid afternoon rewarded those who stayed the day with 5 Eagles...2 adult
Bald Eagles flew over, one at 3pm EST, another at 3:40 EST., and within a 5
minute span of time, at 3:45-3:50 pm, 3 mature Golden Eagles flew over and
2 circled the field offering a beautiful sunkissed view to the delight of
all those watching. A real 'WOW' event.
========================================================================
Report submitted by Sandra Horvath ()
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 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 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 day�s 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.
Photos courtesy of Mike Street and Barry Cherriere
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. © 2010 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
_______________________________________________
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org
For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
