Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 14, 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 2 Turkey Vulture 104 4814 6623 Osprey 1 34 35 Bald Eagle 0 16 30 Northern Harrier 1 32 44 Sharp-shinned Hawk 51 455 496 Cooper's Hawk 3 40 69 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 159 383 Broad-winged Hawk 3 4 4 Red-tailed Hawk 0 505 939 Rough-legged Hawk 0 9 23 Golden Eagle 0 0 4 American Kestrel 0 18 20 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 1 7 9 Total: 164 6107 8765 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:30:00 Observation end time: 12:45:00 Total observation time: 5.08 hours Official Counter: John Stevens Observers: Paul Summerskill, Sandra Horvath Visitors: Bruce Timms, chairman of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, investigating the weekend's accident when two people fell over the edge. Weather: Very strong, gusty winds from the southwest with warm temperatures and generally overcast skies. Slight haze to begin, a few sprinkles of rain around 9 EST and then starting again around 11 EST. Becoming a steady rain by 12. Raptor Observations: Male NH was being harassed by a Raven during the entire time it took them to appear and pass from view. TVs and sharpies were having difficulty staying above the trees. Non-raptor Observations: 4 Common Loons heading south, a large (>50) flock of Cedar Waxwings, my first Barn Swallow of the year Predictions: Hard to believe but the forecast is for snow in the morning so dress warmly as the temperature is expected to be near zero. In the pm there may be a chance to see Broad-winged Hawks underlit by reflection off snow, a rara avis at Beamer. ======================================================================== 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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