Grimsby, ON - Beamer Conservation Area Grimsby, Ontario, Canada Daily Raptor Counts: Apr 15, 2017 -------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 1 Turkey Vulture 6 3428 5501 Osprey 1 19 20 Bald Eagle 0 6 27 Northern Harrier 4 31 42 Sharp-shinned Hawk 22 479 555 Cooper's Hawk 0 22 61 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 46 299 Broad-winged Hawk 5 389 389 Red-tailed Hawk 9 394 995 Rough-legged Hawk 0 12 19 Golden Eagle 0 3 7 American Kestrel 0 29 47 Merlin 0 6 11 Peregrine Falcon 0 2 4 Unknown Accipiter 0 2 2 Unknown Buteo 0 6 33 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 5 10 Total: 47 4879 8023 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Phil Waggett Observers: Visitors: None were observers although locals were out for the afternoon. Weather: Morning--overcast with light south-westerly winds as the rain began at 8:30. By 12:00 noon, the rain ended & the sky cleared up quickly but the south-westerly winds picked up sharply. The temperatures were also a contrast with a cool morning followed by a warm afternoon. Raptor Observations: The rain and heavy south-west winds (never good in my experience for this hawkwatch) really cut into the flight. Birds were fighting their way through after lunch at treetop height. The local male coop, turkey vultures and red-tails were active. Non-raptor Observations: Two chipping sparrows were noted but otherwise migrants were very scarce. Predictions: Another day of strong south-west winds is not good for a significant flight. At present, Monday and Tuesday are looking better. ======================================================================== 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
