Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 02, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 1 1 3 Turkey Vulture 846 846 4246 Osprey 3 3 7 Bald Eagle 0 0 35 Northern Harrier 1 1 23 Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 7 340 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 61 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 567 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 33 33 1385 Rough-legged Hawk 2 2 26 Golden Eagle 2 2 6 American Kestrel 2 2 18 Merlin 0 0 8 Peregrine Falcon 1 1 3 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 2 Unknown Buteo 2 2 15 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 2 2 9 Total: 902 902 6756 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:45:00 Observation end time: 17:30:00 Total observation time: 9.67 hours Official Counter: John Stevens Observers: Dave Sked, George Holland, Tim King, Tom Thomas Visitors: Jack and Linda Homer, Bob Copeland, Verne Evans, Bob Stamp, Jim Heslop, Don Cunliffe. Weather: Not a cloud all day with a north wind off the lake that eased off in the afternoon. Raptor Observations: Late day push of Turkey Vultures produced a respectable count that was very slow in the am. Several highlights consisting of a juvenile Peregrine Falcon, a Black Vulture missing a feather or two at the base of the left wing, and a pair of Golden Eagles interacting as they flew (well to the south unfortunately). Non-raptor Observations: Two, or possibly one, Ravens going in opposite directions over an hour apart, Fox Sparrows, Pine Siskin, Loon, four Great Blue Herons Predictions: Could be pretty good with a mix of sun and cloud, an east wind and some rain coming in the evening. ======================================================================== Report submitted by John Stevens () 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. © 2012 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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