Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 17, 2017
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Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total
------------------ ----------- -------------- --------------
Black Vulture 0 0 1
Turkey Vulture 27 3548 5621
Osprey 10 33 34
Bald Eagle 0 7 28
Northern Harrier 1 32 43
Sharp-shinned Hawk 35 524 600
Cooper's Hawk 4 28 67
Northern Goshawk 1 1 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 47 300
Broad-winged Hawk 194 586 586
Red-tailed Hawk 29 427 1028
Rough-legged Hawk 0 13 20
Golden Eagle 1 4 8
American Kestrel 0 34 52
Merlin 0 6 11
Peregrine Falcon 0 2 4
Unknown Accipiter 0 2 2
Unknown Buteo 2 8 35
Unknown Falcon 0 0 0
Unknown Eagle 0 0 0
Unknown Raptor 3 8 13
Total: 308 5310 8454
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Observation start time: 07:30:00
Observation end time: 16:30:00
Total observation time: 9 hours
Official Counter: John Stevens
Observers: Barry Cherriere, Ben Ofield, Brian Hawthorne, Don Cunliffe,
J & B Farnham, Phil Waggett
Visitors:
In addition to the named assistants there were: Bob Cumming, Owen Yates,
Dave Purcell, Rob Palin, Joanne Redmond, Kayo Roy, Carol Horvat, Rick
Young, Ron Depagter, Loveleen, John and Asher Clayton of Georgetown, Doug
and Daniela Janack of Fonthill, Laura Gabriel and Nick Nassif of St.
Catharines. All of whom helped to find birds for us against a blue sky.
Weather:
Sunny all morning with a little cloud in the pm. Light to moderate
northerly winds kept the temperature on the tower cool. A very pleasant
day.
Raptor Observations:
Resident TVs were very active all day. Local CH displayed on occasion.
Non-raptor Observations:
Pileated Woodpecker flew east to west and landed in a tree behind the
tower. Brown Thrasher sang in the morning and fed under the feeders. Pair
of Common Raven interacted above the east woods. Fox Sparrow and several
White-throated Sparrow seen below the feeders.
Predictions:
The weather forecast is calling for similar temperatures and an easterly
component to a north wind. This could be very good but bring a warm
jacket.
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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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