Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 22, 2017 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 8 3681 5754 Osprey 0 36 37 Bald Eagle 2 10 31 Northern Harrier 1 39 50 Sharp-shinned Hawk 25 702 778 Cooper's Hawk 2 34 73 Northern Goshawk 0 1 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 51 304 Broad-winged Hawk 553 1803 1803 Red-tailed Hawk 22 537 1138 Rough-legged Hawk 0 13 20 Golden Eagle 0 4 8 American Kestrel 0 38 56 Merlin 1 7 12 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 4 Unknown Accipiter 0 2 2 Unknown Buteo 0 8 35 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 8 13 Total: 614 6976 10120 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 8 hours Official Counter: Phil Waggett Observers: Barry Cherriere, Dave Sked, Jennifer Lyon, Paul Shanahan, Sandy Darling, Tim Foran, Wynn Reichheld Visitors: A good turnout today. Wynne Reichheld, Tim Foran, Derek & Jennifer Lyon, Barry Cherriere, Sandy & Jeni Darling, Bill Rapley, Dave Sked. Paul Shanahan was visiting from New Jersey and was a huge help spotting migrants--thank you! Weather: High misty cloud for much of the day, clearing considerably after 1pm. The wind,which was moderate for most of the day, shifted from due north in the morning to north-east after 11 am. Generally, a cool pleasant day. Raptor Observations: A good flight dominated by broad-winged hawks. Two immature bald eagles were noted. Local turkey vultures, red-tails, and a male coop were very active during the day. Non-raptor Observations: Early in the day, several common loons were noted. A few passerines were observed (none by me!)--pileated woodpecker, blue-gray gnatcatcher, black-throated green warbler. White throated sparrows were numerous at the feeders. Predictions: Likely a good day as the main broadwing flight, based on data in New York, is now going through. The only problem will be if winds from the SW become too strong. Monday is also looking like a very good day. ======================================================================== 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. ©2017 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca 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 Visit the OFO Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OntarioFieldOrnithologists