Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 03, 2017
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 1
Turkey Vulture 840 1667 3740
Osprey 0 0 1
Bald Eagle 2 3 24
Northern Harrier 6 8 19
Sharp-shinned Hawk 43 71 147
Cooper's Hawk 2 6 45
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 20 37 290
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 33 109 710
Rough-legged Hawk 3 4 11
Golden Eagle 0 0 4
American Kestrel 5 9 27
Merlin 0 1 6
Peregrine Falcon 1 1 3
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 0 1 28
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 2 7
Total: 955 1919 5063
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 14:45:00
Total observation time: 6.75 hours
Official Counter: John Stevens
Observers: Darren Smillie, Eric Holden, Keith Park, Matt Mills,
Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Jean Iron, Ron Pittaway, Barry Cherriere, Carol Horvat, Rick Young, Brian
Hawthorn, John Hogeveen, Cody Pytlak
Weather:
Mix of sun and cirrus cloud to begin but thicker cloud moved in and after a
few sprinkles, drizzle began around 2 EST and the flight ground to a halt.
Winds from the northeast off the lake made for a cool day on the tower.
Raptor Observations:
Very steady TV movement, mostly low along the edge of the escarpment.
About five local TVs milled about. Local CH and RT seen on occasion. Good
variety of species but no Osprey!
Non-raptor Observations:
Flock of 7 Great Blue Heron, several Common Loon, 2 Purple Finch, 1 Eastern
Bluebird, 2 Common Raven
Predictions:
Weather forecast is for light rain all day with much warmer temperatures
than today. If this holds there may not be much action
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Report submitted by John Stevens ()
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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