Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 18, 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 2 Turkey Vulture 26 4895 6704 Osprey 1 38 39 Bald Eagle 0 17 31 Northern Harrier 2 34 46 Sharp-shinned Hawk 20 530 571 Cooper's Hawk 2 47 76 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 162 386 Broad-winged Hawk 20 167 167 Red-tailed Hawk 7 546 980 Rough-legged Hawk 1 11 25 Golden Eagle 0 0 4 American Kestrel 0 18 20 Merlin 0 5 9 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 5 Unknown Accipiter 0 3 6 Unknown Buteo 0 6 65 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 9 11 Swainson's Hawk 1 1 1 Total: 80 6490 9148 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 07:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Brian Mishell Observers: Matt Mills, Phil Waggett, Sandra Horvath, Tom Thomas Visitors: This was OPEN house day so continual visitors all day from St. Catherines, N. Falls, Ottawa and Toronto as well as lots from Hamilton and Burlington. Weather: Light winds predominated throughout the day. Winds from the South did not not warm up the temperature until about 12.20 p.m. Cloud cover 100% except for a two hours from 11 to 1 p.m. Raptor Observations: Not an exciting day looking at the total number but we had 9 species including a much discussed Swainson's Hawk. This bird was very high (4) but was picked up very early and visible for several minutes and flew directly over the observation tower. There were two Harriers one female in A.M. and one male in the afternoon Non-raptor Observations: Several other birds incl. 4 GBHE, singing PIWA,both kinglets,the sapsucker and RBWO and BEKI. Predictions: Winds from the North at 15 KM/HR plus temperatures similar to Friday. No great movement at Ripley yesterday lead me to believe that only a modest increase in number of birds will be the case for Saturday. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian Mishell () 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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