Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 07, 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 2 Turkey Vulture 293 2724 4533 Osprey 2 10 11 Bald Eagle 1 13 27 Northern Harrier 2 16 28 Sharp-shinned Hawk 49 167 208 Cooper's Hawk 3 15 44 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 146 370 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 6 330 764 Rough-legged Hawk 1 5 19 Golden Eagle 0 0 4 American Kestrel 0 5 7 Merlin 1 4 8 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 5 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 3 Unknown Buteo 0 1 60 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 5 7 Total: 359 3442 6100 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 15:45:00 Total observation time: 7.75 hours Official Counter: John Stevens Observers: Andy Morgan Visitors: Andalyne and Richard Tofflemire plus Andy Morgan who helped count and found the Kingbird. Weather: Light to moderate winds from the north (not the promised SE) and mostly overcast to begin. Thickening clouds during the day and light drizzle starting at 2:20 EST. High never reached the promised 9 and felt much lower on the tower. Raptor Observations: Another day dominated by TVs but a good flight of Sharpies. At 3:10 EST when I was thinking of leaving, a pair of Merlins appeared and chased each other all over above the trees in front of me before one bird headed west and the second went down into the gulley. Non-raptor Observations: Migrants included C. Loon, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Flicker, GC Kinglet, E. Phoebe, Swamp Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, E. Towhee, and an Eastern Kingbird!! hovering just above the ground in the field to the south. This would be record early according to "Birds of Hamilton." We could see the white tip of the tail. Predictions: Weather forecast is not promising: light rain, northerly winds and cool temperatures. Rest of the week looks better. ======================================================================== 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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