Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 12, 2014
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 2
Turkey Vulture 20 4630 6439
Osprey 3 24 25
Bald Eagle 1 15 29
Northern Harrier 1 24 36
Sharp-shinned Hawk 29 329 370
Cooper's Hawk 1 32 61
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 7 158 382
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 37 489 923
Rough-legged Hawk 1 9 23
Golden Eagle 0 0 4
American Kestrel 4 14 16
Merlin 0 5 9
Peregrine Falcon 0 1 5
Unknown Accipiter 0 2 5
Unknown Buteo 0 6 65
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 5 7
Total: 104 5743 8401
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Phil Waggett
Observers: Bill Rapley, Dave Sked, Derek Lyon, Gord Kozak,
Jennifer Lyon, Mike Walker, Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Peter Scholtens led an environmental group from A Rocha, mostly families
with young children; they were very interested in the presentation that we
put on about raptor monitoring at Beamer. A number of visitors were
present and helping with the count--Gord Kozak, Jennifer & Derek Lyon, Dave
Sked, Tom Thomas, Sandy & Jennie Darling, the Konzes, Ron Pittaway, Bill
Rapley, Mike Walker, and Brandon Holden. My apologies if I missed anyone
among the many people visiting today.
Weather:
A blue, cloudless sky with light winds out of the south-west to start the
day; by noon, the winds were moderate out of the northeast with increasing
cloudiness. By the end of the day, the sky was overcast.
Raptor Observations:
Low numbers, with red-tails and sharp-shins the dominant species. The
local coops and TV's were active during the day. The bald eagle was a 3
year old. The rough-leg was a light form bird.
Non-raptor Observations:
4 common loons, a few flickers, a belted kingfisher, a great blue heron,
and several tree swallows. Double-crested cormorants were much in evidence
with several groups flying over.
Predictions:
Once the storm fronts pass early this week, we could be in for some
excellent counts starting Thursday as Broad Wing numbers continue to build
through Ripley, New York.
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Report submitted by Phil Waggett ()
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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