Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 14, 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 2 4 Turkey Vulture 11 2188 5588 Osprey 0 31 35 Bald Eagle 0 11 46 Northern Harrier 0 27 49 Sharp-shinned Hawk 106 313 646 Cooper's Hawk 1 33 94 Northern Goshawk 0 0 2 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 13 580 Broad-winged Hawk 15 34 34 Red-tailed Hawk 1 363 1715 Rough-legged Hawk 1 9 33 Golden Eagle 0 3 7 American Kestrel 2 16 32 Merlin 0 3 11 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 4 Unknown Accipiter 0 8 10 Unknown Buteo 0 3 16 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 2 9 Total: 137 3061 8915 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 7 hours Official Counter: Phil Waggett Observers: Cody Law Visitors: Lauren Booker (Mississauga) who really helped spotting the birds; Keith Park (Oakville), and Kim & Patrick Dunlop (Hamilton) Weather: Some very early sun but heavily overcast most of the day. Strong south-west winds (which are not good for a flight at this hawkwatch) with temperatures that felt cooler than the low teens. Raptor Observations: A very light flight dominated by sharp-shins. A few low broad-wings made up the bulk of the buteo flight. The lone rough-leg was a light bird. Local TV's and the male coop were active. At one point, the male coop flew by carrying prey. A year 3 bald eagle was photographed at the point but did not pass the observation tower. The flight was low at treetop and between the tower and the escarpment. Non-raptor Observations: A flock of 20 purple finches landed directly in front of the tower. Other passerines noted included yellow-rump warbler, northern flicker, yellow-bellied sapsucker, and tree & barn swallows. Earlier in the morning, several great blue herons flew by as did a single common loon. Predictions: Tomorrow does not look promising--rain forecast with south west winds. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Phil Waggett () 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
_______________________________________________ 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/
