Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Mar 26, 2018
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 7 7
Turkey Vulture 110 1037 1053
Osprey 0 0 0
Bald Eagle 0 21 25
Northern Harrier 0 2 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 14 14
Cooper's Hawk 1 16 16
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 39 121 123
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 105 373 394
Rough-legged Hawk 0 2 4
Golden Eagle 0 2 2
American Kestrel 0 3 3
Merlin 0 2 2
Peregrine Falcon 0 3 3
Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0
Unknown Buteo 3 6 6
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 0 0
Total: 260 1609 1654
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Observation start time: 08:00:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8 hours
Official Counter: John Stevens
Observers: Bob Stamp, Brad Wilson, Don Cunliffe, Lois Evans,
Matt Mills, Michael Sandell, Phil Waggett, Tom Thomas
Visitors:
Lots today some of whom were: Eric Single, Mary Ellen Hebb, Dave Sked,
Carol Horvat, Doug Gillard, Doug Peters, Sandy and Jenny Darling, Rich
Harris, John Hogeveen and Dennis Lewington.
Weather:
Clear and cool with variable winds, usually with an easterly component but
occasionally from the north off the lake. Only in the final hour did any
clouds of consequence develop. Still glove weather.
Raptor Observations:
All in all quite disappointing, particularly in the morning. Picked up
midday but little variety and sometimes the flight was quite high. At
least a few hours had more hawks than vultures. No sign of a Black Vulture
but a couple of local TVs went round and round.
Non-raptor Observations:
Not too much movement and no new migrants to report.
Predictions:
Light rain is forecast and still cool temperatures, so not very promising
but the birds must be getting anxious to move.
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Report submitted by John Stevens ()
Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area information may be found at:
http://www.niagarapeninsulahawkwatch.org/
More site information at hawkcount.org:
http://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=389
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: 1) Data in this report is not official until reviewed and
finalized after the end of the season. ©2018 Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch.
2) Vehicular traffic into park is restricted in March because of construction
on site. Visitors can park at the gate BUT DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR
VEHICLE!!!
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