Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 18, 2010
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 30 72 72
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 3 19 19
Northern Harrier 3 9 9
Sharp-shinned Hawk 10 21 21
Cooper's Hawk 8 25 25
Northern Goshawk 0 3 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 28 38 39
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 158 347 349
Rough-legged Hawk 3 6 6
Golden Eagle 0 3 3
American Kestrel 0 3 3
Merlin 0 1 1
Peregrine Falcon 2 2 2
Unknown Accipiter 1 2 2
Unknown Buteo 0 1 1
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 2 2
Total: 246 554 557
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Sandy Darling
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Bouwe Bergsma, Colin Horstead,
Phil Waggett, Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Cody Law (A Grimsby boy with excellent eyes), Dennis Gardner, Eric Single,
George Holland, Bob Stamp, Jum Hislop, George Bryant, Cheryl Edgecombe,
Barb Bridekirk, Nancy Ruppert, Mike Street, Clive Hodder and a number of
others
Weather:
A warm, clear day with gusty wind from SW to S,
Raptor Observations:
The best day so far this season with most birds in the afternoon, including
a flurry of Turkey Vultures at the end around 4:00 EST.
Non-raptor Observations:
White-throated Sparrow, 2 Song Sparrows, Eastern Bluebird, a number of
Killdeer
Predictions:
It should be another good day, especially since birds continued steadily in
the afternoon.
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Report submitted by Sandy Darling ()
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
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