Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 12, 2016 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 19 332 339 Osprey 0 0 0 Bald Eagle 2 10 11 Northern Harrier 1 13 13 Sharp-shinned Hawk 6 8 8 Cooper's Hawk 4 15 16 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 9 36 36 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 22 253 254 Rough-legged Hawk 1 17 19 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 3 3 Merlin 0 1 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 1 1 Total: 64 689 701 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:30:00 Observation end time: 16:30:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Phil Waggett Observers: Barry Cherriere, Ben Ofield, Bob Stamp, Eric Geemen Visitors: John Black, Marcie Jacklin, Kevin McLaughlin, Jean Iron & Ron Pittaway, Jacques Giraud. Many others visited during the day, including families out for a hike at Beamer. Weather: Foggy with a cool southwest wind for the first two hours of the watch. Then mostly a mix of sun and high, wispy cloud (50%) until about 3:30 when it became overcast. Raptor Observations: Few raptors noted before lunch (although there were reports that some birds were spotted over the plain/QEW as a result of the strong south-west winds)and while there was modest improvement, a stong flight did not develop. Once again, local redtails, coopers hawks, and vultures were evident--mostly after lunch. Non-raptor Observations: Little migratory activity noted today. One flock of pintails (20) and one flock of tundra swans (approx. 50) were observed this morning. Two killdeers were also spotted. Predictions: Given the lack of an observed downflight and predicted overcast conditions, not much of a flight is expected. ======================================================================== 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. © 2016 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
