Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 05, 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 92 916 5620 Osprey 0 1 1 Bald Eagle 0 2 32 Northern Harrier 0 10 26 Sharp-shinned Hawk 4 88 151 Cooper's Hawk 1 4 54 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 56 528 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 2 152 1131 Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 37 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 1 4 13 Merlin 0 0 2 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 3 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 2 Unknown Buteo 0 5 26 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 3 Total: 100 1241 7630 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 14:30:00 Total observation time: 6.5 hours Official Counter: Tom Thomas Observers: Dave Sked, Phil Waggett Visitors: Not many visitors on such a blustery day as this one. David Sked, Frank and Sandra Horvath, and Phil Waggett. Weather: Overcast,with strong north west winds. Temperatures hovered around plus 4 for most of the day, but with a wind chill it felt much colder. The sun tried to break through at one stage, and I could see my shadow, and all I could think of was six more weeks of Winter. Around the two o clock mark, it started to sprinkle with ice pellets so I knew it was time to call it a day. Raptor Observations: There was not much of a raptor flight today, as the winds were too strong for most birds to fly into. We did however see a constant flight of Turkey Vultures who often struggled to stay on any kind of flight path. Non-raptor Observations: Many Common Loons flew over the observation tower, along with groups of Common Mergansers. Northern Flickers and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers seemed to be migrating through. Predictions: It does not look good for Wednesday, as there is 80% chance of rain showers predicted ======================================================================== Report submitted by Tom Thomas ([email protected]) Beamer Conservation Area, Grimsby, ON information may be found at: http://www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org/ Site Description: Hawk migration monitoring at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in Grimsby, Ontario is conducted by the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPH). All counting is 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 cold days, particularly in 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 publicly 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 seven day's worth of observation data 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. © 2011 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
_______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
