Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 24, 2011
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 1
Turkey Vulture 61 2123 6827
Osprey 2 36 36
Bald Eagle 0 14 44
Northern Harrier 1 64 80
Sharp-shinned Hawk 103 826 889
Cooper's Hawk 3 34 84
Northern Goshawk 0 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 103 575
Broad-winged Hawk 1748 3797 3797
Red-tailed Hawk 26 758 1737
Rough-legged Hawk 0 13 49
Golden Eagle 0 3 3
American Kestrel 1 18 27
Merlin 1 9 11
Peregrine Falcon 0 4 7
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 2
Unknown Buteo 0 10 31
Unknown Falcon 0 2 2
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 4 6
Total: 1947 7820 14209
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Observation start time: 09:00:00
Observation end time: 18:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: Brian Mishell
Observers: Cody Law, Dolores Mishell, Jean Iron, Keith Sealy,
Phil Waggett, Ron Pittaway, Terry Osborne, Tom Thomas
Visitors:
We had lots of visitors from 10 a.m. until about 4 p.m. when they drifted
away.
Weather:
The day started with little of no wind, 100% cover and light rain. Then
gradually the breeze commenced from the North for the rest of the day but
no more than a pleasant breeze. The rain petered out before 10 a.m.We had
100% cove until 1 p.m. when small amounts of blue sky could be seen.At 3.
p.m. there was 90% cover,4 p.m. 40%,15% at 5 p.m.until we quit at 6.23 p.m.
Raptor Observations:
A memorable day.Up to 2 p.m. we had seen 19 broadwings,2-3 p.m.there were
302, 3-4 p.m.423,4-5 p.m. 683. We ended up with 1,748 at 6 23 p.m. The
count would have been higher but the observers Jean Iron, Ron Pittaway, Tom
Thomas, Cody Law and Dolores Mishell together with the counter were thrown
out of the park because the gate had to be closed.
Non-raptor Observations:
Through out the day we were entertained as usual by the Brown Thrasher, we
saw Barn Swallows,Kingfishers,Loons going South,W.C. Sparrows,W.T sparrows,
Fox sparrows, Hermit thrush amongst many
Predictions:
With lots of rain expected from lunchtime tomorrow until Friday and with
big movement this afternoon I expect it to be slow.
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Report submitted by Brian Mishell ()
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/
