Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 03, 2015 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 687 1766 4769 Osprey 2 5 5 Bald Eagle 4 10 59 Northern Harrier 2 11 20 Sharp-shinned Hawk 60 132 168 Cooper's Hawk 5 14 71 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 15 79 665 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 71 267 1179 Rough-legged Hawk 2 6 21 Golden Eagle 1 1 9 American Kestrel 2 6 8 Merlin 0 3 6 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 2 2 Unknown Buteo 0 0 4 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 1 Unknown Raptor 0 0 2 Total: 851 2303 6990 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Tim Foran Observers: Gord Kozak, Matt Mills, Phil Waggett, Sandy Darling Visitors: Literally thousands of visitors including Pat Hodge, Alain Carriere. Special thanks to Sandy Darling, Phil Waggett Bill Rapley and Matt Mills. Weather: The fog lifted for 10 am. It was perhaps the most comfortable day of the year, so far. Alternately cloudy and clear and otherwise a great day for seeing the birds. Raptor Observations: Birds streamed through from 10 am to the official end time The Flight line was generally low, with occasional high birds. This was fortunate as the light on the upper birds was greasy and dull, making it difficult to see markings and body shapes. Non-raptor Observations: Good Friday is traditionally the Niagara Peninsula Hawk Watch's open house. Many thousands attended and from the observation tower, it appeared as a good time was had by all. An exhibition of live birds included: Great Grey Owl, Bald Eagle, and a Red Tailed Hawk Predictions: Cooler perhaps, likely clear and therefore a possibility for good viewing. The next two, or three weeks look most promising, apart from days of inclement weather. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Tim Foran () 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. © 2015 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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