Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 18, 2014
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 23 80 80
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 3 9 9
Northern Harrier 1 2 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 1 1
Cooper's Hawk 3 9 9
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 5 20 20
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 42 145 145
Rough-legged Hawk 0 11 11
Golden Eagle 0 1 1
American Kestrel 0 1 1
Merlin 0 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1
Unknown Buteo 0 0 0
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 77 280 280
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:15:00
Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: Matt Mills
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Bouwe Bergsma, Dave Sked, David Weare,
Kevin McLaughlin, Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Many thanks to Claude King for sharing his excellent photography skills.
A few sharp-eyed visitors from Guelph and Grimsby.
Weather:
Brilliantly sunny with a few wispy clouds to compliment the afternoon
contrails. A cool northeast breeze kept the flight line within reach.
Raptor Observations:
A very slow morning was followed by intermittent bursts of action through
the afternoon.
A striking male Northern Harrier sandwiched between 3 adult Bald Eagles
made for a scintillating finish.
Non-raptor Observations:
4 Wood Ducks
1 Common Raven cruised east along the ridge
1 Song Sparrow under the feeder.
A few intermediate-sized Canada Geese mixed in the migrating flocks.
Predictions:
Looks like a washout.
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Report submitted by Matt Mills ()
Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area 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. © 2014 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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