Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 20, 2014
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 2
Turkey Vulture 2 4922 6731
Osprey 2 44 45
Bald Eagle 0 18 32
Northern Harrier 4 39 51
Sharp-shinned Hawk 37 582 623
Cooper's Hawk 1 50 79
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 166 390
Broad-winged Hawk 57 306 306
Red-tailed Hawk 14 586 1020
Rough-legged Hawk 0 12 26
Golden Eagle 0 0 4
American Kestrel 0 19 21
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 0 1 1
Total: 118 6769 9427
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 17:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: Chris Street
Observers: Anna Baranova, Ken Williams, Mike Williamson,
Norman Schipper, Phil Waggett, Terry Osborne
Visitors:
Norm Schipper, Ken and Angie Williams, Bill Rapley. Also Ana Hernandez,
Jajean Rose and Jonna Hamann who came up from Buffalo to help out for a
couple hours. Thanks to all of those who offered up an extra set of eyes.
Weather:
Sunny and clear all day with a low of 5 and a high of 8. Wind was moderate
out of the North/Northeast.
Raptor Observations:
The flight was slow and steady all day long with birds coming through in
ones and twos most of the day. Only notable kettle was of 18 Broad-winged
Hawks to the far south. Other notables were 2 Osprey and 4 Harriers.
Non-raptor Observations:
The feeders played host to the usual White-throated, Fox, Chipping and Song
Sparrows, as well as an Eastern Towhee and Red-bellied Woodpecker. A Field
Sparrow was heard singing early in the morning. The trees around the count
area held Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Flicker and
a Pileated Woodpecker later in the afternoon. Flyovers included Purple
Martin, Tree and Barn Swallow, Common Loon, Eastern Meadowlark, and many
flocks of Cormorants.
Predictions:
Calling for S/SW winds with a high of 17. Flight could be good if there
was a strong flight south of us today.
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Report submitted by ()
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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