Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 02, 2018
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 7
Turkey Vulture 1381 2171 3512
Osprey 3 3 3
Bald Eagle 0 0 30
Northern Harrier 1 1 3
Sharp-shinned Hawk 17 22 46
Cooper's Hawk 8 11 36
Northern Goshawk 1 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 8 24 173
Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0
Red-tailed Hawk 31 71 542
Rough-legged Hawk 1 1 6
Golden Eagle 0 0 2
American Kestrel 1 1 6
Merlin 1 2 4
Peregrine Falcon 1 1 4
Unknown Accipiter 2 2 2
Unknown Buteo 1 9 15
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 0 1 1
Total: 1457 2321 4393
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Observation start time: 07:45:00
Observation end time: 16:00:00
Total observation time: 8.25 hours
Official Counter: John Stevens
Observers: Brad Wilson, Bruce Campbell, Darren Smillie, Don Cunliffe,
Keith Park, Phil Waggett, Rob Spaul, Tim Foran
Visitors:
Many, many visitors to the CA today including: Denys Gardiner, Bill Lamond,
Doug Peters, Bob Stamp, Barb Charlton, Carol Horvat, Dave Sked, Eric
Holden, Jean Iron, Ron Pittaway, Kevin McLaughlin, Judy Robins, Barry
Cherriere, Barb West, Phil Downey, John Hogeeveen, Keith Dieroff, Brian
Hawthorne, some of whom assisted with spotting and identifying birds on a
difficult day.
Weather:
Clear and cool with light winds from the west or north early swinging more
to the south and strengthening through the afternoon. Cloudless to begin ,
a few cumulus during the day and then cirrus coming in on the southern
wind.
Raptor Observations:
It was Turkey Vulture Day with a pretty steady parade beginning at 0801 EST
until day's end near 1600 EST. Flight began directly overhead and spread
over the whole horizon at times but shifting to off the edge of the
escarpment on the southerly winds in the afternoon. Local TVs, RTs and CH
seen regularly. Highlights were our first Osprey and Northern Goshawk of
the year.
Non-raptor Observations:
A few Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant and single Raven and Great Blue
Heron. Still no Eastern Phoebe has shown.
Predictions:
Weather forecast suggests rain will move in late in the morning so making
for a short day.
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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 is again allowed into the park, but visitors are asked to
have their cars outside the gate by 3PM. If parking at the gate DO NOT LEAVE
VALUABLES IN YOUR VEHICLE!!!
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