Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 21, 2017
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 0
Turkey Vulture 84 157 194
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 0 4 7
Northern Harrier 0 0 0
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 7 8
Cooper's Hawk 1 9 9
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 6 11 11
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 39 102 138
Rough-legged Hawk 0 1 1
Golden Eagle 0 2 2
American Kestrel 3 4 4
Merlin 2 2 2
Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 2 2
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 4
Total: 136 301 382
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Observation start time: 08:30:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 7.5 hours
Official Counter: Tom Thomas
Observers:
Visitors:
As you would expect lots of visitors on such a lovely day, and they all
helped with the days count.
Bob Stamp, Eric Single, Don Cunliffe, Barry Cherriere, Phil Waggett, Dave
Sked, John Black, Dennis Lewington, Brian Hawthorn, Darren Smillie.
Weather:
perfect day for counting hawks, almost cloudless skies, with lots of
contrails to spot birds. Warm temperatures, and just enough wind to get
birds airborne.
Raptor Observations:
A busy day with lots of Turkey Vultures and Red-tails making up most of the
numbers(130 plus). We had some good close looks at a few Red-shouldered
Hawks, with a couple of Merlin's and American Kestrels adding to the mix.
Birds were coming through on many different flight paths and some Turkey
Vultures were so high we were lucky to spot them as they were mere dots in
a blue sky.
Non-raptor Observations:
Not too much happening other bird wise, a pop up Common Raven at the
Escarpment, and a few Killdeer in the afternoon.
At the intersection of Quarry Road and Ridge Road 7 deer were crossing
the road out of the vineyard on the south side, as I was arriving at
Beamer.
Predictions:
Colder, but could be another good day. There are a lot of Red-shouldered
Hawks out there somewhere.
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Report submitted by Tom Thomas ([email protected])
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. ©2017 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch
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