Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 19, 2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 27 4375 6358 Osprey 2 32 32 Bald Eagle 0 15 49 Northern Harrier 4 58 82 Sharp-shinned Hawk 11 1553 1731 Cooper's Hawk 4 30 101 Northern Goshawk 0 0 7 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 102 506 Broad-winged Hawk 87 292 292 Red-tailed Hawk 9 760 1934 Rough-legged Hawk 0 8 25 Golden Eagle 0 2 7 American Kestrel 0 35 40 Merlin 0 7 14 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 7 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 3 Unknown Buteo 2 2 7 Unknown Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 5 Total: 146 7274 11202 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 17:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: John Stevens Observers: Barry Cherriere, Colin Horstead, Phil Waggett Visitors: Lice and Michiel Straathof from Leiden, Netherlands who were stranded in Detroit trying to return home from Florida and opted to visit family in Niagara. Others included Bill Reid, Eric Single and Brian Hawthorne. Weather: Clear blue all day with light winds from the north or northwest and comfortable temperatures rising to the mid-teens. Raptor Observations: Generally very slow except for a few pulses of Broad-wings although the local TVs were around most of the day and the local Cooper's Hawk pair put on a "pairs" flight overhead in the morning. Non-raptor Observations: 37 Double-crested Cormorants, one Common Loon and a Brown Thrasher that serenaded us from early morning to closing time. Predictions: The forecast suggests that there may be some cloud in the afternoon to help spotting but the predicted light winds will mean any migrants will be high. With a lesser northerly component to the winds, it should be better than today but bring your high power binocs. ======================================================================== 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/
