Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 10, 2017
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
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Black Vulture 0 0 1
Turkey Vulture 200 3189 5262
Osprey 5 11 12
Bald Eagle 0 4 25
Northern Harrier 4 23 34
Sharp-shinned Hawk 109 365 441
Cooper's Hawk 2 17 56
Northern Goshawk 0 0 0
Red-shouldered Hawk 0 44 297
Broad-winged Hawk 1 2 2
Red-tailed Hawk 21 260 861
Rough-legged Hawk 0 6 13
Golden Eagle 0 0 4
American Kestrel 7 26 44
Merlin 0 5 10
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 4
Unknown Accipiter 1 1 1
Unknown Buteo 0 5 32
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 1 3 8
Total: 351 3963 7107
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Observation start time: 07:45:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 8.75 hours
Official Counter: John Stevens
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Bouwe Bergsma, Dave Sked, Don Cunliffe,
Eric Holden, Keith Park
Visitors:
In addition to the named assistants there were: Carol Horvat, Eric Single,
Barb West, Chuck Simmons, Lois Evans, Brian Hawthorn, John Hogeveen and
Bruce Mackenzie.
Weather:
Windy and warm, make that very windy and very warm with temperature
reaching 23 C and winds gusting to 70 kph. Mostly sunny with high cirrus
until thicker cloud passed around 2 EST and a few sprinkles that soon ended
and earlier conditions resumed.
Raptor Observations:
At least the wind kept the birds low but they passed so quickly it was
difficult to enjoy them. A BW @ 8:15 did not presage a great day. No
concentrated flight lines with birds appearing from horizon to horizon. I
was very thankful for having many helpers for most of the day.
Non-raptor Observations:
Great Egret was a surprise migrant. Lots of flickers on the move all day.
Predictions:
Forecast is for warm, windy and wet although not as warm or windy as today
but possibly wetter. Likely to be a reasonable flight. We saved all the
eagles for tomorrow.
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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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