Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 12, 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 53 4182 6165 Osprey 1 18 18 Bald Eagle 0 15 49 Northern Harrier 1 47 71 Sharp-shinned Hawk 23 1380 1558 Cooper's Hawk 6 24 95 Northern Goshawk 0 0 7 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 100 504 Broad-winged Hawk 2 74 74 Red-tailed Hawk 39 683 1857 Rough-legged Hawk 0 8 25 Golden Eagle 0 2 7 American Kestrel 0 29 34 Merlin 0 7 14 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 7 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 3 Unknown Buteo 0 0 5 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 4 Total: 125 6570 10498 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:15:00 Observation end time: 16:45:00 Total observation time: 9.42 hours Official Counter: John Stevens Observers: Dave Sked, Doug Lockrey, George Holland, Sandy Darling Visitors: Doug Lockrey (coordinator of the Cranberry Marsh fall watch), Janice Melendez, John Stirrat, Dave Sked, Ken Button, George Holland, John Niewiadomski, Mike Kirchin, Maureen and Joy from Niagara Falls, Verne Evans, John Black and Barry Cherriere. Weather: Sunny all day but with thin high cirrus clouds between 8 and 12 EST and again after 3:30 EST. Generally light winds from the north to northeast off the lake making it coolish on the tower despite the low double digit temperature. Raptor Observations: The local TVs were very active most of the day as they were getting great lift off the edge of the escarpment. Local CHs seen several times mostly in the am. Most of the migrants were high, but visible overhead. An Osprey was seen at the point about 1145 EST but passed below the edge of the escarpment. Non-raptor Observations: Lots of woodpeckers, particularly Flickers, five DC Cormorants, the Wood Ducks, three Belted Kingfishers and quite a few Juncos but no sign of any White-throated Sparrows. Predictions: Weather forecast suggests a repeat of today. ======================================================================== 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 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. Directions to site: To get to Beamer CA, take the QEW to Exit 71/72, 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 [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
