Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 31, 2014
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 2 2
Turkey Vulture 605 1809 1809
Osprey 0 1 1
Bald Eagle 0 14 14
Northern Harrier 2 12 12
Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 41 41
Cooper's Hawk 6 29 29
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 53 224 224
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 54 434 434
Rough-legged Hawk 1 14 14
Golden Eagle 0 4 4
American Kestrel 0 2 2
Merlin 0 4 4
Peregrine Falcon 1 4 4
Unknown Accipiter 1 3 3
Unknown Buteo 57 59 59
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 1 2 2
Total: 788 2658 2658
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: John Stevens
Observers: Dave Sked, David Pryor, David Weare, Eric Holden, Jean Iron,
Joe Ashworth, Matt Mills, Pat Hogge, Phil Waggett
Visitors:
A huge crowd including several faces that we don't see too often any more.
In addition to those who are down as helping with the counts, I noted Bouwe
Bergsma, Rick Young, Keith Sealey, Glenn Barnett, Barb Charlton, Glenda
Slessor, Bob Curry, Jim Dowall, Laurie and Bruce McKenzie, Gerry Shemilt,
Greg Vandervelde and Peter Thoem.
Weather:
Clear skies with light northerly winds and temperature rising to 10 C made
for a very comfortable day, a lamb-like end to a cold March.
Raptor Observations:
A fairly slow start that had hardly warmed up before the principal flight
line shifted well to the south where only TVs could be identified with any
certainty and other birds were dots in the haze. Particular thanks to Eric
Holden for helping find the birds in the blue.
Non-raptor Observations:
Not many migrants at all although a crane sp., probably Sandhill Crane, was
seen far to the south.
Predictions:
For April 1 nothing I could say would be believable. Still it's a new
month and with easterly winds and a warm day it does look promising.
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Report submitted by John Stevens ()
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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